Pitt-Greensburg opened Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play with a 2-0 victory over Pitt-Bradford on Saturday at Ridilla Field, using goals from AJ Karstetter and Cam Loveland and another clean sheet from goalkeeper Nick Braun to secure its first conference win of the season.
The victory improved the Bobcats to 5-2-3 overall and 1-0 in AMCC play, while Pitt-Bradford fell to 4-6 overall and 0-1 in the conference.Â
Pitt-Bradford put the Bobcats under pressure early, forcing Braun to make three saves in the opening 19 minutes. Pitt-Greensburg began to settle into the match as the first half progressed, creating several opportunities of its own. Jake McClintock, Owen Schrock and Matt Armenio each put attempts on frame before the break.Â
"We started slow but had much better moments in the first half which could've given us a lead," head coach Marc Bucci said. "I think it was just a continuation of a positive end to the first half to carry the momentum into the second half."
That improved play paid off at the 42:19 mark. Loveland set up Karstetter, who found the back of the net to send the Bobcats into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.Â
Pitt-Bradford continued to test the Bobcats after halftime, finishing with six shots in the second period. Pitt-Greensburg's defense limited the quality of those opportunities, however, as just one reached the target. Braun stopped Conner Rudsell's attempt in the 68th minute to preserve the one-goal advantage.Â
The shutout continued a strong stretch between the posts for Braun and a Pitt-Greensburg defense that has made life difficult for opposing attacks.
"He's been up there with our most consistent players and making good decisions in pivotal moments," Bucci said of Braun. "We've been tough to score against and the entire goalkeeping team has been a bright spot by really challenging each other which has brought the best out of Braun."
With Pitt-Bradford still searching for an equalizer late in the match, Pitt-Greensburg delivered the decisive blow. Caleb Kullen found Loveland, who scored at the 86:30 mark to double the Bobcats' advantage and put the match out of reach. Loveland finished the afternoon with a goal and an assist, factoring into both Pitt-Greensburg goals.Â
Pitt-Bradford held an 11-8 advantage in total shots, but Pitt-Greensburg was more efficient with its opportunities, putting five of its eight attempts on goal compared with four of 11 for the Panthers. Braun stopped all four shots he faced over 90 minutes to earn the clean sheet. The Bobcats also committed just four fouls compared with 10 by Pitt-Bradford.Â
For Pitt-Greensburg, the result provided an important first step as the Bobcats began their pursuit of their goals in conference play.
"It's everything because we knew this game wouldn't be easy," Bucci said of picking up the first conference victory. "We understand what this season could be for us and winning this game was the first step in achieving our goals."
The Bobcats will step back out of AMCC play for one final non-conference test when they host Chatham on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
