PITTSBURGH (July 4, 2025) — A history-making first season for the Pittsburgh Riveters came to an end this afternoon in the USL W League Central Conference Semifinals after top-seeded Minnesota Aurora FC came away with a 2-0 win at Highmark Stadium.
Saige Wimes and Natalie Tavana scored for the Aurora (11-0-2), who advance to face Cincinnati-based and second-seeded Kings Hammer FC in the conference final, 7 p.m. Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
Goalkeeper Caitlyn Thompson made nine saves in her First Team debut with the Riveters (6-2-3), who were beaten at home for the first time in their inaugural season.
First half
The Aurora, a team that has been in the playoffs four straight seasons, came out on the front foot. Their early efforts were off target until a 20th-minute shot driven toward goal by Summer Diamond, forcing Thompson to tip the ball over the bar for her first save.
The Riveters pushed back with one of their best chances shortly afterward. Lucia Wells got free on the right side and sent a low pass to the front of goal for Anna Korney. The Aurora defense collapsed around Korney to keep her from turning to shoot, and the ball worked its way back to Jayden Sharpless, whose effort from outside of the box went wide.
Thompson made two more saves before the break, but in the 43rd minute, the Aurora pulled ahead.
Charly Boone played a long ball forward to Catherine Rapp in the penalty area, and Rapp played the ball across to a wide-open Wimes for the finish. That sent the Riveters defenders to the referee to protest that Rapp was offside on the play, while the spirited Highmark Stadium crowd joined in with a chant of “Offside! Offside!” until the restart.
Second half
Shaking off the disappointment of conceding late in the first half, the Riveters got back into the flow of things for a more evenly played start to the second half, but chances were scarce for both teams until Thompson was forced to turn away a shot by Evelyn Calhoon in the 62nd minute.
In the 72nd minute, the Aurora won a free kick just outside of the box and to the left of goal. That set up their top scorer, Tavana, who made no mistake putting the shot into the right side of the net for a 2-0 lead.
The Riveters kept pushing forward and had chances late, including from an Abi Hugh corner kick that led to a collision between Gina Proviano and Aurora goalkeeper Taylor Kane, who held onto the ball and finished with the clean sheet.
In stoppage time, 15-year-old academy product Gabby Beineke — also making her Riveters debut — was played into the box behind the defense, but a sliding challenge by retreating defender Elizabeth Overberg was deemed fair by the referee, ending the match with shouts for a Riveters penalty.
Modelo Player of the Match
Caitlyn Thompson was pressed into action for the playoffs, and she was excellent in a nine-save debut performance that included a pair of shots requiring a full-stretch tip over the bar.
What’s next?
The first season of Riveters soccer in the USL W League concludes with a Great Forest Division title and a playoff berth. The team will be back next May for the 2026 season.
Riveters SC lineup (4-2-2-2) — Caitlyn Thompson; Sydney Lindeman (Lilly Bane 46’, Mackenzie Dupre 88’), Natalia DiSora, Piper Coffield, Bella Vozar; Kate Friday (Kelsey Salopek 73’), Jayden Sharpless (Gina Proviano 46’); Abi Hugh (Annalyse Bauer 88’), Lucia Wells (Minah Syam 64’); Anna Korney, Sabrina Bryan (Gabby Beineke 73’)
Minnesota Aurora FC lineup (4-3-3) — Taylor Kane; Camber Hayes, Elizabeth Overberg, Austin Miller (Helen Schaefer 82’), Annie Williams (Elizabeth Rapp 57’); Charley Boone, Summer Diamond; Natalie Tavana (Jelena Zbiljic 82’), Catherine Rapp (Kunie Hirai 82’), Evelyn Calhoon (Rami Rapp 69’); Saige Wimes (Mariah Nguyen 57’)
Scoring summary
MIN — Saige Wimes 43’ (Catherine Rapp)
MIN — Natalie Tavana 73’
Discipline summary
PIT — Assistant coach Mike Proviano 58’ (caution – dissent)
PIT — Sabrina Bryan 63’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Gina Proviano 72’ (caution – dissent)
