The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg women's soccer team nearly erased a three-goal second-half deficit Tuesday evening, but the Bobcats' comeback came up just short in a 4-3 loss to Wooster.
The Bobcats' home match was relocated to No Offseason due to unplayable field conditions. With the result, Pitt-Greensburg moved to 4-3 on the season, while Wooster improved to 4-3-1.
Wooster struck first in the 23rd minute when Abby Henegar found the back of the net to give the Fighting Scots a 1-0 advantage. Pitt-Greensburg's best opportunity of the opening half came shortly afterward when Dionna Santia put a shot on frame, but Wooster goalkeeper Lucy Carlin made the save. Kira Howcroft made two first-half saves for the Bobcats as Wooster carried its one-goal lead into the break.
The pace picked up considerably after halftime, with six goals scored between the two teams over the final 45 minutes.
Wooster extended its lead less than two minutes into the second half when Josie Bencic scored at the 46:51 mark. Just over two minutes later, Bencic assisted on a goal by Bella Crompton to give the Fighting Scots a 3-0 advantage.
Pitt-Greensburg answered in the 55th minute. Riley Gesinski converted a penalty kick to put the Bobcats on the board and cut the deficit to 3-1. Wooster responded in the 62nd minute, however, as Henegar scored her second goal of the match to restore the Fighting Scots' three-goal advantage at 4-1.
From there, the Bobcats began to take control offensively.
Gesinski continued to generate opportunities, forcing a save from Carlin in the 67th minute before hitting the left post at the 69:09 mark. Pitt-Greensburg's pressure paid off in the 73rd minute when Gesinski set up Kathryn Chiado, who found the back of the net to make it 4-2.
The Bobcats had a chance to draw even closer just over a minute later when they were awarded another penalty kick. Gesinski stepped to the spot again, but this time Carlin made the save to keep Wooster's two-goal advantage intact.
Pitt-Greensburg kept pushing and broke through again with 5:33 remaining. Abigail Ault scored in the 85th minute to bring the Bobcats within one at 4-3 and set up a frantic finish. UPG searched for the equalizer in the closing minutes, with Layla Widenhofer recording the final opportunity with 20 seconds remaining, but her shot went high as Wooster held on for the one-goal victory.
Despite the loss, Pitt-Greensburg finished with a 9-8 advantage in shots and put seven of its nine attempts on goal. The Bobcats generated eight of those shots in the second half after recording just one in the opening 45 minutes. Wooster held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks, while Pitt-Greensburg committed just three fouls compared to six by the Fighting Scots.
Gesinski paced the Bobcats offensively, finishing with a goal and an assist while placing four of her game-high five shots on target. Chiado scored on her only attempt of the match, while Ault also found the back of the net on her lone shot. Santia added a shot on goal, and Widenhofer recorded one attempt. Howcroft played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with three saves.
The three-goal second half marked Pitt-Greensburg's strongest offensive stretch of the night, as the Bobcats turned a 4-1 deficit into a one-goal game over the final 17 minutes before ultimately falling, 4-3.
