(May 24, 2025) — The first win in Pittsburgh Riveters history is in the books, but the team had to hold off a late surge by Flower City 1872 to come away with a 3-2 USL W League victory tonight at Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium in Rochester, N.Y.
Tanum Nelson scored the first two goals in the history of the Riveters (1-0-1) less than two minutes apart, and Lucia Wells added a late third goal that proved important in the end.
Sam Cipolla came off the bench to score twice for Flower City (1-1-0), the second goal coming in stoppage time to make for a tense finish.
First half
For the second mach in a row, the Riveters came out on the front foot, which would translate into a 14-3 advantage in shots by the end of the 90 minutes. But Flower City goalkeeper Brigid Mulholland was strong cutting off chances early and would finish with seven saves.
Olivia Damico came close to opening the scoring in the 26th minute, but her shot from the right side of the penalty area struck the right post squarely and rebounded back in her direction. A scramble in the box minutes later allowed Nelson to turn a shot on goal, but Mulholland got a boot on the ball to turn it wide.
The historic first goal in Riveters history came in the 31st minute on a play that began with a long free kick into the box by Piper Coffield. The ball landed in the penalty area but was not cleared by Flower City, and it fell to Nelson, who had room to place her shot into the back of the net.
The celebrations only had about 90 seconds to die down before Nelson — who plays her college soccer at Cornell University, a little more than an hour away from Rochester — was at it again with an exceptional strike. The midfielder received a pass from Kennedy Neighbors and turned forward, finding space to operate 25 yards from goal. Nelson hit a perfectly placed right-footed shot that struck the underside of the crossbar and went into the net, giving the Riveters a 2-0 lead at the break.
Second half
The Riveters continued to push forward, and both Abi Hugh and Neighbors forced saves by Mullholland in the first seven minutes of the half. Flower City, meanwhile, brought Cipolla into the match after the break, and trailing, their tactics turned more direct.
Riveters goalie Bailey Herfurth didn’t record an official save, but she got an important hand to a low cross in the 70th minute, preventing the ball from going across goal, and Coffield then blocked a shot before play was stopped for a foul against Flower City.
The lead increased to 3-0 in the 80th minute from a corner kick. The ball was allowed to bounce in the Flower City box, and a clearance attempt came only as far as Wells, whose shot from 15 yards netted her first goal of the season.
Flower City was not done, however, and in the 83rd minute, Cipolla got on the end of a bouncing long ball and managed to chip it into the net with pressure from Coffield behind her and Herfurth coming off her line.
Cipolla struck again in stoppage time, touching the ball around Herfurth after another long ball sent her behind the defense. But the Riveters were able to see out the remaining time, earning win No. 1 in team history.
Modelo Player of the Match
Tanum Nelson claimed a place in history with the first goal in Riveters history, and she quickly grabbed another with the first brace for the club. The midfielder had three shots total and logged 72 minutes playing a key role in the center of the park.
What’s next?
The Riveters are back on the road for their first midweek match at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, when they go on the road to face Cleveland Force SC (0-0-2) for the second time. The Force drew 2-2 last Wednesday with Erie after their season-opening draw with the Riveters.
Riveters SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Bailey Herfurth; Abi Hugh (Sydney Ritter 81’), Natalia DiSora, Piper Coffield, Bella Vozar; Tessa Dellarose (Ava Boyd 81’), Annamarie Williams (Kate Friday 72’); Kennedy Neighbors (Lucia Wells 65’), Tanum Nelson (Minah Syam 72’), Olivia Damico (Lilly Bane 46’); Robin Reilly (Sydney Lindeman 46’)
Flower City 1872 lineup (4-5-1) — Brigid Mulholland; Jamie Keens, Meghan Joerger (Isabella Fiorillo 84’), Maya Ikewood, Courtney Carter; Amelia Adiutori (Maria Karipidis 55’), Catherine Rogers, Mia Gray (Sam Cipolla 46’), Emily Hanrahan (Finn Cregan 84’), Eva Poissant (Morgan Goodman 46’); Chloe DeLyser (Delaney Tellex 46’)
Scoring summary
PIT — Tanum Nelson 31’ (Piper Coffield)
PIT — Tanum Nelson 32’ (Kennedy Neighbors)
PIT — Lucia Wells 80’
FLC — Sam Cipolla 83’ (Maria Karipidis)
FLC — Sam Cipolla 90+2’
Discipline summary
None