(June 21, 2025) — Minah Syam scored on a goal-mouth scramble in stoppage time to earn the Pittsburgh Riveters a crucial 1-1 draw at FC Buffalo tonight at Coyer Field in Buffalo, N.Y.
Syam’s first goal of the season, which came from a corner kick taken by Tessa Dellarose, brings the Riveters (5-1-3) one step closer the the Great Forest Division title and the USL W League Playoffs in their first season. The Riveters will win the division with a victory in their regular-season finale Friday against Steel City FC, while both FC Buffalo (4-2-2) and Steel City (3-1-4) would have to win both of their final two matches to catch the Riveters.
Buffalo took the lead in the 81st minute when Sarah Woods received a long, diagonal pass from the left side of the field. Woods chipped the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Pauline Nelles to give the hosts the lead.
The match also featured a pair of penalty kicks saved by the opposing goalkeepers. Dellarose had her shot toward the bottom left corner denied by Shea Vanderbosch in the first half, while in the second half, Nelles responded by denying a shot toward the bottom right corner by Buffalo’s Paige Szymanski.
Modelo Player of the Match
Pauline Nelles earns the honor with a crucial second-half penalty save to keep the match scoreless. Though she was beaten once on the night, Nelles was solid on her busiest night of the season in the Riveters’ goal, and her play set the stage for Syam’s late equalizer.
What’s next?
It all comes down to one final match at home against Steel City FC at 7 p.m. Friday, June 27 at Highmark Stadium. A win would ensure the Riveters win the division, while a draw also would be enough if Buffalo fails to win Thursday night in Cleveland. If the Riveters do not clinch Friday, they would not be eliminated, but their hopes would rest on the outcome of the Steel City at Buffalo match on Sunday, the final day of the regular season.
Riveters SC lineup (4-3-3) — Pauline Nelles; Lucia Wells, Natalia DiSora, Abi Hugh, Bella Vozar; Tessa Dellarose, Annamarie Williams (Kelsey Salopek 65′), Tanum Nelson (Minah Syam 75′); Alexis Tylenda (Ava Boyd 65′), Sabrina Bryan, Olivia Damico (Gina Proviano 75′)
FC Buffalo lineup (4-4-2) — Shea Vanderbosch; Erin Weir, Charlie Pawli, Kam Vanderbosch, Ellie Simmons; Paige Szymanski (Lindsay Lenhard 66′), Lizzie Harkness (Eileen Solomon 59′), Gianna Tuzzolino (Claire Deangelis 81′), Linda Ullmark (Sarah Woods 46′); Carissima Cutrona, Skylar Cornell (Chloe Japic 59′)
Scoring summary
BUF — Sarah Woods 81′ (Carissima Cutrona)
PIT — Minah Syam 90+2′ (Kelsey Salopek)
Discipline summary
PIT — Head coach Scott Gibson 62′ (caution – dissent)
PIT — Ava Boyd 66′ (caution – reckless foul)
