(June 5, 2025) — A stoppage-time header cost the Pittsburgh Riveters full points, and the team had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Erie Sports Center tonight at the Penn State Behrend Stadium in Erie, Pa.
Olivia Damico put the Riveters (2-1-2) in the lead early in the second half, but a header in traffic by Leya Bretz pulled Erie (0-3-2) level in the second of three added minutes.
First half
The Riveters pushed forward early and often, and Damico slipped a pass through to Alexis Tylenda in the fourth minute, but an offside call negated the potential scoring chance. That would be a common sight in the match, as the Riveters were flagged for a whopping 13 offside infractions.
Kennedy Neighbors had a chance to put the Riveters ahead in the 26th minute after left back Lucia Wells hit just the right pass through the defense. Neighbors was able to get around Erie goalkeeper Morgan Sinan as she came off her line, but she was unable to turn her shot into the open net.
Riveters goalie Pauline Nelles made the first two of her three saves in the latter stages of the first half, but chances were few entering the break.
Second half
Tylenda, a constant runner forward all night, made the run that led to the Riveters opening the scoring.
In the 58th minute, she tracked down a ball on the left side, this time well onside. She carried the ball into the box before lifting a pass across the box to the back post, where Damico was ready and finished from inside 10 yards with a shot on her first touch.
It was the second goal in as many matches for Damico, the Penn State graduate, and the second assist of the season for Tylenda, who has four goal contributions (two goals, two assists) in her last three matches.
The Riveters came close to a second goal a minute later, when Lilly Bane slipped a pass to Tanum Nelson in the box, but Nelson’s shot was denied by Sinan.
The Riveters nearly saw the game out, but a foul in stoppage time gave Erie a free kick 35 yards from goal. Olivia Dixon booted a long ball into the middle of the box, and Bretz rose to get just enough of the ball to redirect it past Nelles and into the net.
Modelo Player of the Match
Lucia Wells was excellent in a two-way role at left back for the Riveters. In addition to her defensive contribution, she created the team’s best first-half chance with her pass to Neighbors, and she was involved earlier in the build-up to Damico’s goal.
What’s next?
The Riveters return home for a match against FC Buffalo (1-1-1), and a win will be necessary to stay in control of their path in the Great Forest Division after dropping points. The first-ever meeting between the two teams will be a 5 p.m. kickoff Sunday, June 8 at Highmark Stadium.
Riveters SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Pauline Nelles; Lucia Wells, Natalia DiSora, Piper Coffield, Bella Vozar (Kelsey Salopek 87’); Annamarie Williams (Minah Syam 61’), Abi Hugh (Sydney Lindeman 79’); Alexis Tylenda (Gina Proviano 87’), Tanum Nelson (Kate Friday 79’), Olivia Damico (Robin Reilly 61’); Kennedy Neighbors (Lilly Bane 61’)
Erie Sports Center lineup (4-5-1) — Morgan Sinan; Destinee Robertson, Hannah Shepard, Niamh Warrender, Olivia Dixon; Grace Emanuel, Lucy Horn (Leya Bretz 85′), Jade Brown, Judit Ferre Valls, Ellie Mills; Laoise O’hAodha (Autumn Waid 67′)
Scoring summary
PIT — Olivia Damico 58’ (Alexis Tylenda)
ESC — Leya Bretz 90+2’ (Olivia Dixon)
Discipline summary
ESC — Grace Emanuel 65’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Minah Syam 78’ (caution – tactical foul)
