
PITTSBURGH (June 8, 2025) — Tanum Nelson claimed another first-time accolade in Pittsburgh Riveters history, scoring the club’s first hat trick to seal a 3-0 win over FC Buffalo this evening at Highmark Stadium.
Nelson, who already had the first goal in team history to her name, scored all three goals in the first half to keep the Riveters (3-1-2) atop the Great Forest Division. The midfielder and Vermont native now leads the team with five goals in six matches.
The Riveters led Buffalo (1-2-1) by a 21-11 count in total shots, and goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made three saves to record her third shutout of the season.
First half
The start of the match was delayed 30 minutes because of lighting in the area, but the Riveters wasted no time pushing forward once play began, and Nelson had the team in front after only nine minutes.
Alexis Tylenda slipped a pass around the defense and into the right side of the box, and Nelson timed her run perfectly to be first to the ball and fire it into the upper right corner.
In the 20th minute, Nelson doubled the lead by working the left side. This time, it was Olivia Damico who played provider on the pass, and Nelson this time finished with a soft touch around Buffalo goalkeeper Bella Simoncelli.
Four minutes before halftime, Nelson completed the historic hat trick. Damico served a cross from the right that was played by a Buffalo defender but caromed to Nelson. The Riveters’ midfielder took a touch to control the ball and finished in front of jubilant fans in Paul Child Stand on the stadium’s East End.
Second half
Buffalo came out more intent on getting forward after the break. Chloe Japic tested Nelles with a shot in the opening minutes, and shortly afterword, Annamarie Williams made a critical blocked shot when she got across just in time to rebuff Buffalo’s Skylar Cornell’s shot from 12 yards.
Simoncelli shone in the Buffalo goal in the second half, making a series of excellent saves to deny Abi Hugh, Tylenda and Damico before the hour mark. The Buffalo goalie finished with seven saves.
The Riveters had another flurry of chances in the 76th minute, when Bella Vozar was denied by Simoncelli. The rebound came to Minah Syam, who turned the ball toward the open net, only to have Buffalo defender Erin Weir clear the ball off the goal line.
Despite a few more chances for the Riveters, neither team found the net in the second half. The Riveters have not allowed a goal at home through three matches at Highmark Stadium.
Modelo Player of the Match
Tanum Nelson earns her second Player of the Match honor with goals No. 3, 4 and 5 on the season. The rising senior at Cornell University has been a steady threat as an attacking midfielder with the Riveters, making runs behind the defense and taking a team-high five total shots.
What’s next?
The Riveters make the short trip to face Steel City FC (2-0-2) for the first time at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 at Founders Field in Indiana Township, Pa. Steel City is the last Great Forest Division team the Riveters have yet to face; they drew 2-2 with Erie in their most recent match Saturday.
Riveters SC lineup (4-3-3) — Pauline Nelles; Lucia Wells (Sydney Lindeman 84’), Natalia DiSora, Piper Coffield, Bella Vozar; Abi Hugh (Kate Friday 84’), Annamarie Williams (Jayden Sharpless 62’), Tanum Nelson (Minah Syam 72’); Alexis Tylenda (Carolina Lucci 84’), Kennedy Neighbors (Sabrina Bryan 62’), Olivia Damico (Giną Proviano 72’)
FC Buffalo lineup (4-3-3) — Bella Simoncelli; Erin Weir, Charlie Pawli, Tess Ford (Delta Barber 72’), Claire DeAngelis (Paige Szymanski 46’); Gianna Tuzzolino, Lizzy Harkness, Eileen Solomon (Chloe Japic 5’, Lindsay Lenhard 63’); Skylar Cornell (Kylie Miranto 72’), Carissima Cutrona, Sarah Woods (Isabella Schmidt 72’)
Scoring summary
PIT — Tanum Nelson 9’ (Alexis Tylenda)
PIT — Tanum Nelson 20’ (Olivia Damico)
PIT — Tanum Nelson 41’
Discipline summary
BUF — Skylar Cornell 58’ (caution – persistent infringement)