No. 7 Pitt Snaps Women’s Soccer’s 18-Match Home Unbeaten Streak

Sunday, August 25

Lewisburg, Pa.

1 p.m.

Bucknell University

2-1-1

Pittsburgh

2-1-1

Pittsburgh

Bucknell

Photo by: Lianne Garrahan

No. 7 Pitt Snaps Women’s Soccer’s 18-Match Home Unbeaten Streak

8/25/2024 4:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Teresa Deda scored a beautiful goal early in the second half to give the Bucknell women's soccer team the lead against No. 7 Pittsburgh, but the Panthers stormed back with five goals in the span of a half-hour to defeat the Bison 5-1 on a warm, sunny day at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. The loss snapped Bucknell's 18-match home unbeaten streak (11-0-7) dating back almost two years to a 2022 setback against Princeton.

Now 2-1-1 on the season, the Bison held strong throughout the first half and had a few bright moments in the attack, most notably Reese Evans' long-distance shot off the crossbar in the 38th minute. Bucknell seemed to have the upper hand for the final 10 minutes of the half, and that momentum carried into the second stanza when Deda scored her third goal of the season just 4:35 after the resumption of play.

Kelley Francis and Reese Evans worked a little 1-2 near midfield, and then Francis played a perfectly weighted ball between the center backs to spring Deda on a breakaway. Deda finished with her first touch past charging goalkeeper Abby Reisz.

Here's a look at the Teresa Deda goal off a sweet ball through from Kelley Francis. #rayBucknell

Watch: https://t.co/gaqWHqiAOb @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ pic.twitter.com/H7itYE2eAE
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) August 25, 2024

Moments later Reisz made a tough save on Paige Temple to keep it 1-0, and then Pitt equalized on a corner kick in the 54th minute. Sarah Schupansky's delivery was headed centrally by Ellie Coffield, and Katie Zailski volleyed it home.

Reisz made another diving save to rob Henna Andican, and then less than 30 seconds later the Panthers had the lead. Lola Abraham won a 50-50 ball on the right flank and centered to Samiah Phiri, who found Schupansky all alone in the center of the area for the finish.

Only 67 seconds later Coffield scored with a turning shot to make it 3-1, and Chloe Minas and Schupansky added two more later in the half to make the final 5-1.

Jess Benattar made three saves in the first half and Dylan Zednik stopped five in the second, including a great reaction save on Coffield in the 68th minute. The Panthers finished with a 25-12 shot advantage, with 16 of those shots coming after the Deda goal. Reisz went the distance in goal in her Pitt debut and tallied five saves.

After opening the season with four straight home games, Bucknell will now play its next five on the road, starting Thursday at George Washington at 3 p.m.