A first-half penalty kick from Isabella Swartz and a seven-save shutout by Kira Howcroft propelled the Pitt-Greensburg women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Allegheny on Sunday afternoon at Robertson Athletic Complex.
With the win, the Bobcats improved to 6-4 overall, while Allegheny fell to 4-5-2.
Pitt-Greensburg broke through in the 19th minute when Swartz converted a penalty kick to put the Bobcats in front, 1-0. The goal was Swartz's lone shot on target in the match and ultimately proved to be the game-winner.
The Bobcats had to withstand pressure from the Gators throughout the opening half. Allegheny forced Howcroft into three saves in a four-minute stretch early in the contest, but the Pitt-Greensburg goalkeeper kept the game scoreless before Swartz provided the lead. Howcroft added another save just before halftime to send UPG into the break ahead 1-0.
Allegheny continued to push for the equalizer after halftime, but Howcroft and the Bobcat defense refused to concede. Howcroft stopped Katherine Surdykowski in the 56th minute before turning away two more attempts from Madeline Schneider in the 63rd and 68th minutes.
Pitt-Greensburg nearly added some insurance in the 75th minute when Emma Reyes put an attempt on target, but an Allegheny team save kept the margin at one. From there, the Bobcats protected the advantage over the final 15 minutes to secure the shutout.
Allegheny finished with a 21-10 advantage in shots and a 9-2 edge in corner kicks, but Pitt-Greensburg made its opportunities count. The Gators put seven shots on goal, with Howcroft stopping all seven. The Bobcats put three of their 10 attempts on frame.
Howcroft played all 90 minutes in goal to earn the clean sheet, finishing with seven saves. Swartz led the offense with the game's only goal, while Bella Carroto, Reyes and Swartz accounted for Pitt-Greensburg's three shots on goal.
The victory gives Pitt-Greensburg its sixth win of the season and sends the Bobcats home from Meadville with a hard-earned 1-0 result.
