PITTSBURGH (June 27, 2025) — Gina Proviano’s stoppage-time winner sent a crowd of 5,751 at Highmark Stadium into a frenzy, as the Pittsburgh Riveters defeated Steel City FC, 2-1, to sweep the season series and clinch the Great Forest Division title in the USL W League.
The Riveters (6-1-3) trailed at halftime to a penalty kick by Emily Graeca for Steel City (3-2-4), but the team pulled level in the 70th minute on a long-range finish by Sydney Lindeman.
The Riveters will host the Central Conference Playoffs next week, with the semifinals on July 4 and the final on July 6. Matchups for the semifinals will be determined at a later date.
First half
Steel City came out with early intent needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and just seven minutes into the match, the visitors sent a dangerous free kick through the box across goal, but neither team could get to the ball.
The Riveters had their early chances through Sabrina Bryan, who made a pair of clever cuts onto her right foot in the box. The first resulted in the first of six saves by Steel City goalkeeper Payton O’Malley, while the second was blocked away at the last second for a corner kick.
In the 31st minute, Steel City got on the board after Minah Syam was called for a trip inside the penalty area. Graeca slotted the penalty into the bottom right corner of the net, and the Riveters trailed at home for the first time all season.
Second half
The Riveters were rightly denied by the offside flag in the 54th minute after Bryan split a pair of defenders to get in against O’Malley. The ball deflected to Lucia Wells, who finished into the open net, but to no avail.
Shortly afterward, Abi Hugh hit a long-range shot that had the top corner picked out, but again O’Malley pulled off an excellent save.
The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when the ball was played by Jayden Sharpless across to Lindeman, standing 30 yards from goal on the left side. She drove a hard, low ball toward the net that somehow split defenders and missed teammates before settling into the bottom right corner of the net. It was the defender’s first goal of the season.
Steel City had an 80th-minute chance to retake the lead in front of goal, but Hugh hustled back to block away a chance by Maya Matesa just 9 yards from goal.
As stoppage time hit, the Riveters — knowing a draw would be enough to win the division because of results earlier in the day — could have killed the clock. Instead, the team pieced together an excellent string of passes in and around the box, which ended with Lilly Bane finding Proviano for the finish.
Modelo Player of the Match
Gina Proviano, a second half substitute like Lindeman, helped change the flow of the game when Steel City had the advantage. The winning goal — her third tally of the season — capped off an excellent relief effort.
What’s next?
The Riveters know they will be at home for a day game on July 4 in the Central Conference Playoffs, where the other competing teams will be the Minnesota Aurora, Cincinnati-based Kings Hammer and the Great Lakes Division winner — either Detroit City FC or AFC Ann Arbor.
Riveters SC lineup (4-3-3) — Pauline Nelles; Lucia Wells (Ella Bulava 89’), Abi Hugh, Piper Coffield, Bella Vozar; Kelsey Salopek (Sydney Lindeman 46’), Minah Syam (Jayden Sharpless 46’), Tanum Nelson (Kate Friday 82’); Alexis Tylenda (Lilly Bane 82’), Sabrina Bryan, Olivia Damico (Giną Proviano 73’)
Steel City FC lineup — Peyton O’Malley; Lucy Ream, Helena Locatelli, Margherita Memoli (Kat McGuire 71’), Coco Dorfman (Briana Ross 84’), Maya Matesa, Emily Cooper (Saveria Ulizzi 59’), Emily Grace, Audrey Bianco (Margaret Wilde 71’), Marissa Salisbury (Regan Reilly 59’), Kayla Leseck
Scoring summary
STC — Emily Graeca 31’ (penalty)
PIT — Sydney Lindeman 70’ (Jayden Sharpless)
PIT — Gina Proviano 90+5’ (Lilly Bane)
Discipline summary
STC — Head coach Tom Ovenden 90+5’ (caution – dissent)
