(May 28, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Riveters had control of play in the first half, but they could not hold on to any points tonight against the Cleveland Force, who rallied for a 3-2 win at Krenzler Field in Cleveland.
Kennedy Neighbors opened the scoring for the Riveters (1-1-1) with an assist from Alexis Tylenda, before Tylenda scored one of her own six minutes later assisted by Olivia Damico.
The Force (1-0-2) came out with intensity in the second half, besting the Riveters with goals from a trio of scorers to pull ahead by the 72nd minute.
First half
From the opening whistle, the Riveters dominated possession. In the fifth minute, an effort by Neighbors was met by the hands of Force goalkeeper Griselda Revolorio. A handful of chances came early for the away team, but none found the back of the net.
In the 25th minute, Tylenda took the ball up the right wing, and a sharp pass found Neighbors alone in the center of the box, and a decisive shot resulted in the ball in the back of the net.
Damico continued to apply pressure along the right wing, and she beat the Force left back with a combination of speed and footwork to send a cross to Tylenda in the box, who headed it home for the Riveters’ second goal and a 2-0 halftime lead.
Second half
The pace of the match shifted in the second half with Cleveland Force’s formation change.
In the 50th minute, a questionable tackle from a Riveters defender on Sophia Sindelar resulted in a point to the spot from referee Robert Johnson. Hannah Pachan stepped up to take the penalty and fired it past Riveters goalkeeper Pauline Nelles.
Only seven minutes later, the Force equalized when Reagan Pentz found the back of the net with a well-placed shot.
Cleveland continued to build on their momentum, and Brynn Severance scored the go-ahead goal during the 72nd minute from a shot from outside the box that hit the post before settling in the back of the net.
The Riveters rallied for a few good chances toward the end of the second half and into stoppage time, but they could not find a way to get a tying goal.
Modelo Player of the Match
With a goal and an assist in her Riveters debut, forward Alexis Tylenda earned Modelo Player of the Match honors.
What’s next?
The Riveters face their shortest turnaround of the W League season as they prepare to host Flower City 1872 at 7 p.m. Friday, May 30 at Highmark Stadium. Flower City (1-1-0) has not played since last Saturday, when the Riveters took the first meeting between the teams, 3-2, in Rochester, N.Y.
Riveters SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Pauline Nelles, Abi Hugh, Natalia DiSora, Piper Coffield, Bella Vozar (Kelsey Salopek 46’), Tessa Dellarose (Lilly Bane 46’, Kate Friday 75’), Annamarie Williams (Sydney Ritter 65’), Alexis Tylenda, Tanum Nelson (Lucia Wells 81’), Olivia Damico (Carola Fontan 65’), Kennedy Neighbors (Ashlyn Basinger 65’)
Cleveland Force SC lineup (4-3-3) — Griselda Revolorio, Emme Butera, Lilly Boebel (Mara Jaracz 46’), Brynn Severance, Hannah Pachan, Reagan Pentz, Bella Antonio (Anna Fugarino 90+1’), Sophia Sindelar, Mackenzie Russell, Julia Rocky, Meg Heath
Scoring summary
PIT — Kennedy Neighbors 25’ (Alexis Tylenda)
PIT — Alexis Tylenda 31’ (Olivia Damico)
CLE — Hannah Pachan 51’ (penalty)
CLE — Reagan Pentz 57’
CLE — Brynn Severance 72’
Discipline summary
PIT — Bella Vozar 45’ (caution – tactical foul)
CLE — Hannah Pachan 69’ (caution – tactical foul)
