The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg women's soccer team closed out its regular season Tuesday afternoon with a 7-2 loss to Penn State Behrend at Behrend Stadium.
Despite the setback, the Bobcats finish the regular season with an 11-5 overall record and a 6-1 mark in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) play, securing the No. 2 seed in the upcoming AMCC Tournament and a first-round bye.
Ella Smith and Riley Gesinski each found the back of the net for Pitt-Greensburg, with Smith recording her 10th goal of the season and Gesinski adding her eighth goal of the year.
The Lions controlled much of the opening half, but Pitt-Greensburg goalkeeper Kira Howcroft kept the Bobcats in the game early, making three saves in the opening eight minutes.
Behrend broke through in the 23rd minute when Sam Shields opened the scoring. Rachel Sickeri added another goal just over a minute later before the Lions extended their advantage with goals in the 34th and 41st minutes to take a 4-0 lead into halftime.
Penn State Behrend added two more goals early in the second half before Pitt-Greensburg responded in the 56th minute. Gesinski connected with Smith, who finished the opportunity for her 10th goal of the season to put the Bobcats on the board.
After Behrend added its seventh goal in the 62nd minute, the Bobcats continued to battle. Gesinski converted a penalty kick in the 71st minute for her eighth goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 7-2.
Pitt-Greensburg showed improvement offensively in the second half, recording four of its six shots and three of its five corner kicks over the final 45 minutes.
Smith led the Bobcats with two shots, both on goal, while Isabella Swartz also recorded two attempts. Gesinski and Bella Carroto each added a shot on goal.
Howcroft played all 90 minutes between the posts, finishing with eight saves as Behrend held a 27-6 advantage in shots. The Bobcats placed five of their six attempts on goal, while both teams finished with five corner kicks.
The loss was Pitt-Greensburg's first in conference play this season, while Penn State Behrend completed its regular season with a 14-0-3 overall record and a perfect 7-0 mark in AMCC action.
Up Next
With the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye secured, Pitt-Greensburg will host an AMCC Tournament semifinal matchup on Wednesday, November 4. The Bobcats will face the winner of the No. 3 versus No. 6 seed first-round contest, with game time to be announced.
