TicketsPITTSBURGH, Pa. – The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team fell to Pittsburgh 2-0 in a battle of unbeaten teams on Sunday afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
With the loss, Cincinnati (3-1-2, 0-0-0 AAC) drops its first match of the season.
The Panthers controlled most of the possession through the first 45 minutes as the Bearcats' backline held strong to limit any threat in the attacking third. Gabriella Letto and Brandi Thomsen each put a shot on frame in the first half, but Panthers' goalkeeper Caitlyn Lazzarini was able to keep the ball out of the net.
Pittsburgh held the advantage in shots and corner kicks at the break, but Anna Rexford recorded four first half saves as the two teams went into the locker room scoreless. Cincinnati has still not allowed a goal in the first half through six matches.
The first goal of the match came in the 61st minute when Panthers' Samiah Phiri found Leah Pais from near the goal area and Pais lifted one over the outstretched arms of Rexford for her first goal of the season to take the 1-0 lead. Pittsburgh added insurance three minutes later when Keera Melenhorst played a ball that found Pais once again, who placed a shot in the back of the net to record the brace and extend the lead that would be maintained for the remainder of the match.
Despite surrendering two goals on Sunday, the Bearcats are outscoring opponents 10 to four through the opening portion of the season. The four goals allowed through six matches are the lowest since 2017.
Rexford posted a season-high five saves on the afternoon, increasing her total to 15 on the season.
Cincinnati remains on the road to take on Western Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. ET.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's soccer, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWSOC on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
With the loss, Cincinnati (3-1-2, 0-0-0 AAC) drops its first match of the season.
The Panthers controlled most of the possession through the first 45 minutes as the Bearcats' backline held strong to limit any threat in the attacking third. Gabriella Letto and Brandi Thomsen each put a shot on frame in the first half, but Panthers' goalkeeper Caitlyn Lazzarini was able to keep the ball out of the net.
Pittsburgh held the advantage in shots and corner kicks at the break, but Anna Rexford recorded four first half saves as the two teams went into the locker room scoreless. Cincinnati has still not allowed a goal in the first half through six matches.
The first goal of the match came in the 61st minute when Panthers' Samiah Phiri found Leah Pais from near the goal area and Pais lifted one over the outstretched arms of Rexford for her first goal of the season to take the 1-0 lead. Pittsburgh added insurance three minutes later when Keera Melenhorst played a ball that found Pais once again, who placed a shot in the back of the net to record the brace and extend the lead that would be maintained for the remainder of the match.
Despite surrendering two goals on Sunday, the Bearcats are outscoring opponents 10 to four through the opening portion of the season. The four goals allowed through six matches are the lowest since 2017.
Rexford posted a season-high five saves on the afternoon, increasing her total to 15 on the season.
Cincinnati remains on the road to take on Western Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. ET.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's soccer, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWSOC on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.