Katie Connell’s Late Goal Lifts Women’s Soccer to 1-1 Draw at Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Katie Connell tucked a sharp-angled shot inside the far post in the 70th minute, helping the Bucknell women's soccer team to a well-earned 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Sunday afternoon. The tie against a tough Atlantic Coast Conference side capped off an outstanding week on the road in Western Pennsylvania. The Bison routed Saint Francis 4-1 on Thursday and then came from behind to get a result against Pitt for the first time since a 1-0 win in 2001.

Reese Dolan made a season-high six saves in back of a defense that held strong for the final 83 minutes after conceding an early goal. Hannah Minogue scored from a Lola Abraham through ball just 6:42 into the match to get the Panthers (4-2-1) going, but the Bison kept a clean sheet the rest of the way.

Bucknell (2-4-1) settled into the game after Pitt's quick strike, and freshmen Gaby Parker and Kenice Wilson both had decent chances getting in behind the back line later in the half. Parker hit the goalpost in the second half, and then Connell drew the Bison even with just over 20 minutes to play.

Henna Andican won a ball at midfield and played it long over the top to Connell along the right flank. Connell faced up her mark, fended off a second defender, and then cleared space to loft a shot from outside the right edge of the box into the far side netting. Connell, who scored the opening goal late in the first half at Saint Francis, now has three tallies on the season.

Bucknell nearly found the go-ahead goal just three minutes later when Leah Bolson settled a bouncing ball in the box, but goalkeeper Ellie Breech charged off her line to block the shot.

Dolan made four saves after the Connell goal, including a diving stop on Margaret Wilde's low shot from distance in the 77th minute. Dolan denied Wilde once again about two minutes later on a close-range redirect on a cross in from the right side. Her final save was a tricky one on Katie Ellermeyer with seven minutes to play. Ellermeyer took a laid off ball and shot from the top of the area, and Dolan dove to her right to snare the tough hop. Reilly Traynor made an important clear in the 89th minute as the Panthers worked deep into the area.

"I thought it was a great defensive effort from all eleven players on the field," said head coach Kelly Cook. "We've been working hard on improving our team defense and how we press our opponent, and today our best scoring chances came through our defensive pressure. We need to keep improving on making the most of our chances, and credit to Katie for making the most of hers. She was able to create space and find a window, and that's what makes her a special player."

Pitt finished with a 17-8 shot advantage and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

The Panthers had won four straight against the Bison, including a 5-1 decision last season in Lewisburg, dating back to Bucknell's back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2001 to start the series.

Bucknell has two home games next week, starting with No. 16 Georgetown on Thursday night. The Bison will also host Towson on Sunday afternoon before starting Patriot League play the following week against Lehigh.

Katie Connell’s Late Goal Lifts Women’s Soccer to 1-1 Draw at Pittsburgh

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Team Stats

Katie Connell

Gaby Parker

Ava Palladino

Leah Bolson

Players Mentioned

Henna Andican

Leah Bolson

Katie Connell

Reese Dolan

Gaby Parker

Reilly Traynor

Kenice Wilson