corporate-logo
#UnitedForSoccer

Pittsburgh Riveters SC

Home » News » Page 3

News

Sellout crowd watches Riveters history begin with draw

by

Pittsburgh Riveters defender Natalia DiSora wins the ball in the team's first-ever match against the Cleveland Force on May 16, 2025 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riveters SC)
Pittsburgh Riveters defender Natalia DiSora wins the ball in the team’s first-ever match against the Cleveland Force on Friday at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riveters SC)

PITTSBURGH (May 16, 2025) — A sellout crowd of 6,077 witnessed history tonight at Highmark Stadium as the Pittsburgh Riveters played their inaugural USL W League match, battling to a 0-0 draw with the visiting Cleveland Force.

The night had it all but goals for the home team, as the Riveters (0-0-1) held a territorial edge and outshot the Force (0-0-1) by a 13-4 margin. Riveters goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made two saves for the first clean sheet in team history, while Force goalkeeper Griselda Revolorio made four stops.

The match opens a 10-game schedule for the Riveters in the Great Forest Division in the W League, the nation’s largest pre-professional women’s soccer league.

First half 

The match opened with a roar, and the Riveters came out looking for chances early. One of the best came only 10 minutes in, when Olivia Damico cut a pass back to Annamarie Williams outside of the top of the box, and Williams’ shot missed just over the bar.

Natalia DiSora, the youngest Riveters player at just 17 years old, was shown the first yellow card in team history for a tactical foul. That gave the Force a free kick 35 yards from goal, and from the ensuing service, Mackenzie Russell headed on goal to force a stop from Nelles.

In the 24th minute, Carola Fontán nearly had the breakthrough with space to shoot at the top of the box, as her curling effort struck the crossbar and bounced away from the goal.

Second half

Right out of the gates, the Riveters nearly took the lead when a build-up play got Kennedy Neighbors into space in the box, but her effort went wide of the goal.

A minute later, Piper Coffield put the ball in the net from a Riveters corner kick. However, the goal was disallowed for contact being made with Revolorio, who was unable to corral the ball into the box, bringing a celebration to a premature end.

Robin Reilly nearly had a fortunate goal in the 68th minute after entering as a substitute when her shot deflected off the foot of a Force defender. The redirection nearly caught Revolorio off guard, but she was able to retreat and push the ball over the crossbar.

The Force had their own dangerous moment barely a minute later, as Isabella Antonio found a gap in the Riveters defense and turned her own shot off the crossbar.

The Riveters had a few more half-chances, including a cross that was just out of the reach of a diving Tessa Dellarose header, but the match came to an end with the teams sharing the points.

Modelo Player of the Match

Piper Coffield was strong from her center back position as the Riveters opened their history with a shutout. Her disallowed goal was a prime example of the threat she posed on set pieces, as well, and Coffield and the defensive cohort limited the Force to one shot on goal in each half.

What’s next?

The Riveters will gear up for their first-ever road game, a 6 p.m. start Saturday, May 24 at Flower City 1872 in Rochester, N.Y. Flower City has yet to begin their season, opening up Monday night at FC Buffalo.

Riveters SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Pauline Nelles; Abi Hugh, Piper Coffield, Natalia DiSora, Bella Vozar; Annamarie Williams (Lilly Bane 46’), Tessa Dellarose; Lucia Wells (Sabrina Bryan 46’, Sydney Ritter 85’), Carola Fontán (Tanum Nelson 46’), Olivia Damico (Robin Reilly 62’); Kennedy Neighbors (Kate Friday 71’)

Cleveland Force lineup (4-3-3) — Griselda Revoloria; Julia Rocky, Ella Raimondi, Mackenzie Russell, Emma Butera; Hannah Pachan, Reagan Pentz (Mara Jaracz 86’), Brynn Severance (Eva Sunjevaric 79’); Lauryn Contini (Lilly Boebel 79’), Isabella Antonio (Olivia Sipsock 79’), Lauren Mahoney (Addy Cusick 62’)

Scoring summary

None

Discipline summary

PIT — Natalia DiSora 17’ (caution – tactical foul)

Game Day: Riveters vs. Cleveland Force SC

by

The Pittsburgh Riveters will play their first-ever USL W League match this Friday, May 16 against the Cleveland Force. (Photo: Julia Wasielewski/Riveters SC)
The Pittsburgh Riveters will play their first-ever USL W League match this Friday, May 16 against the Cleveland Force. (Photo: Julia Wasielewski/Riveters SC)

Match info

Riveters (0-0-0) vs. Cleveland Force SC (0-0-0)
Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh+
Streaming: SportsEngine Play
Live updates: @RivetersSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtags: #PITvCLE and #RivetersRise

PITTSBURGH (May 15, 2025) — It began more than a year ago with a simple announcement.

Then, last September, the team got a name and an identity.

Now, after countless hours, weeks and months of preparation, the Pittsburgh Riveters arrive tomorrow.

The Riveters will host the Cleveland Force on Friday night at Highmark Stadium, and a sellout crowd is expected to help launch the team into its first season in the USL W League, opening up a new door for women’s soccer in the Pittsburgh region.

Head coach Scott Gibson and his players are set to embark on a 10-game slate in the league’s new Great Forest Division. Their first opponent is a somewhat familiar one, as the Force is a longtime opponent of teams from the Riverhounds Academy at the youth level. Now, each club has a proper women’s First Team, and it makes for a fitting start to begin their history with an installment of the classic Pittsburgh/Cleveland rivalry.

For Gibson, one of the toughest tasks will be squad selection. The Riveters have depth at every position, both homegrown and nationally recruited, which will be a benefit over the course of a condensed schedule. But for this one-off opening night, Gibson has only a handful of training sessions from which to glean his ideal starting 11.

Tessa Dellarose, the former U.S. U-20 international and 2024 NCAA champion with North Carolina, is one of the few locks for the 11 and will wear the captain’s armband for the team’s historic debut. As the first player announced for the team last fall, the midfielder will be crucial in a pivot role for the Riveters.

As opening night draws near, fans are ready for a celebration of women’s soccer at Highmark Stadium. During halftime, the Riveters will recognize members of their Advisory Committee who have helped the team take off, and there will also be a recognition of the first Riverhounds Academy girls team from 2013, looking back on the journey for the club that has led to this point.

By game time, it is expected that only standing room and resale tickets will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Fans who aren’t able to be at the stadium will be able to watch the match live on SportsNet Pittsburgh+, with a re-airing at 1 p.m. Saturday on the main SportsNet Pittsburgh channel. All USL W League matches are also available to stream on SportsEngine Play.

Downloadable Game Notes

051625 Rivs vs ClevelandDownload

Final additions complete Riveters roster for opener

by

PITTSBURGH (May 15, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riveters SC will begin its first-ever season this week with three final players with local roots added to the active roster, Syracuse University midfielder Mackenzie Dupre, Syracuse University defender Aleena Ulke and Coastal Carolina University goalkeeper Aris Lamanna.

Dupre, 21, is a rising senior for the Orange and has appeared in 23 matches for Syracuse after transferring to the ACC school following her freshman season at Towson. Prior to college, the midfielder was a standout player for Upper St. Clair High School and played for Internationals SC in the Elite Clubs National League.

“We are pleased to welcome Mackenzie back to the organization. Mackenzie is a very hard-working player, very solid technically, and strikes a ball very well. She will provide even more depth to our midfield department throughout the course of a very busy season,” Riveters head coach Scott Gibson said.

Ulke, 20, saw limited action in her first season with the Orange, and an injury suffered before her sophomore season prevented her from building on that initial campaign. A star at perennially strong Moon Area High School, Ulke also played in the Riverhounds Development Academy and received multiple ECNL Ohio Valley Conference honors, including Defender of the Year in 2019. 

“Aleena has a positive energy and mindset that is contagious. After suffering some serious injury setbacks over the last few years, Aleena has continued to work as hard as she can to work herself back to full fitness. We are proud of her journey and she will bring more defensive quality and tenacity to our group,” Gibson said.

Lamanna, 19, appeared in 13 matches, starting eight, in her first year with Coastal Carolina in 2024. The goalkeeper also recorded a pair of shutouts for the Chanticleers. A product of Franklin Regional High School, where she was a 2023 all-state and three time all-WPIAL selection, Lamanna also played her youth soccer in the ECNL with the Riverhounds Development Academy.

“We are pleased to add Aris to our goalkeeper department. We are very familiar with Aris as a player in our Academy, and she has gone onto have a very good freshman year at Coastal Carolina,” Gibson said. “She is a commanding goalkeeper who is a very good shot stopper and works hard at her game each day. We are excited to see how she further develops this Summer.”

The Riveters take the field for the first time at 7 p.m. Friday when they host the Cleveland Force at Highmark Stadium in the USL W League opener for both teams. Limited tickets remain for the opener at Ticketmaster and through the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Breeze Airways announced as Founding Partner, kit sponsor

by

PITTSBURGH (May 14, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riveters SC is pleased to welcome Breeze Airways as one of the club’s Founding Partners and the team’s primary kit sponsor, connecting the rapidly growing new airline carrier with Pittsburgh’s new women’s soccer team in the USL W League.

Breeze Airways will appear on the front of the team’s home, away and alternate jerseys, which will be produced by CHARLY USA, the official kit manufacturer of both the Pittsburgh Riveters and Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

“We are proud to be a presenting partner for the Riveters inaugural season in the USL W,” said Gina Weikert, Breeze Airways’ Director of Brand and Media Strategy. “Breeze is an innovative airline, connecting underserved markets across the United States and making travel easier and more accessible. This partnership further solidifies our commitment to not only Pittsburgh, but women’s sports. We look forward to rooting on the Riveters this season!”

The 2025 CHARLY home kit features the familiar colors of Pittsburgh — black with yellow sleeves and trim — but a closer look at the body of the black kits reveals technical images of a World War II-era B-17 bomber, a throwback to the era where the visual of Rosie the Riveter first came to prominence. The 2025 CHARLY road kit, with its yellow and gray jersey, features multiple images of Rosie the Riveter embedded throughout a series of different sized and shaped panels. And the team’s two goalkeeper kits — a lavender and a light green set — give the appearance of riveted steel on the jerseys.

In addition to their placement on the front of the team’s jerseys, Breeze Airways will be involved with the club throughout the year with sponsored social media content, a “Final Boarding Call” halftime challenge at Riveters’ home matches, a Women in Leadership video series and visible advertising placements online and at Highmark Stadium. 

Breeze also will be the presenting partner of the Riverhounds and Riveters Hype Squad, which works to engage and entertain fans at the stadium and at community events around the region.

“We are thrilled to announce Breeze Airways as a Founding Partner entering our inaugural season. As we near the start of an exciting new chapter for women’s soccer in Pittsburgh, it’s fitting to align with an innovative and rapidly growing brand that recognizes the momentum and importance of women’s sports,” Riveters President Jeff Garner said. “This partnership is about more than a logo on a kit, it’s about shared values. Breeze is connecting cities across the country in bold new ways, and we’re proud they’re helping connect the Riveters to our city, our fans and the future of the game.”

The first chance to catch the Riveters and their Breeze Airways kits in action is the team’s season opener Friday, May 16, when they host the Cleveland Force at Highmark Stadium. Tickets for the game are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

About Breeze Airways 

Breeze Airways operates more than 275 year-round and seasonal routes to 72 cities in 32 states. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze took flight in May 2021 bringing premium air service to secondary markets on its flagship fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Breeze has been named a top 5 “Best Domestic Airline” by Travel + Leisure for three consecutive years, was recognized for having the “Best Seat Comfort in North America” by Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) in 2024, and was named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025. Breeze was the first U.S. domestic airline to be certified by Autism Double Checked and is the official airline of Make-a-Wish Utah. Breeze currently flies out of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to 13 destinations around the U.S. With seamless booking, friendly policies, and customized booking options, Breeze makes it easy to buy and Seriously Nice™ to fly.

About Pittsburgh Riveters SC

Beginning play in 2025, Pittsburgh Riveters SC was established as the City of Pittsburgh’s first team in the USL W League. By bringing a high level of women’s soccer to the city, the Riveters strive to provide a pathway for players as they make the leap to the professional game, while setting an example for the next generation of girls in sports. The team plays its home games at Highmark Stadium, which opened in 2013 on Pittsburgh’s South Shore as the team-owned, soccer-specific home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC men’s professional team.

84 Lumber presenting Riveters matches on SportsNet Pittsburgh

by

PITTSBURGH (May 12, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riveters SC, through the support of Founding Partner and Official Broadcast Presenting Partner 84 Lumber, will have all of its home matches televised during the club’s inaugural 2025 season on SportsNet Pittsburgh, making the Riveters one of the first USL W League teams with a broadcast deal of that type.

Included in the broadcast presentation will be the 84 Lumber halftime show and other in-game elements during both live broadcasts and replays on SportsNet Pittsburgh’s two channels — SportsNet Pittsburgh and SportsNet Pittsburgh+. The partnership highlights the connection between Pittsburgh’s newest women’s team and 84 Lumber, a nationally respected, locally headquartered and woman-led company.

“At 84 Lumber, supporting women is part of who we are,” said Amy Smiley, 84 Lumber Vice President of Marketing. “As a woman-owned company, we’re proud to partner with the Pittsburgh Riveters, a team that reflects our values and commitment to empowering women on and off the field. This partnership is a powerful way to promote opportunities for women, and we’re excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

As the local broadcast home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates and a partner station of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the addition of Pittsburgh Riveters coverage enhances SportsNet Pittsburgh as the place to watch hometown teams.

“We are honored to have 84 Lumber join us as a Founding Partner. Their support of Pittsburgh Riveters SC symbolizes a shared commitment to empowering women and elevating women’s sports within our community,” said Zack Kaminski, Riveters Director of Corporate Partnerships. “Having Riveters games airing on SportsNet Pittsburgh is a game changer, as it allows us to reach more fans, inspire young athletes, and showcase the talent and determination of women in sports. This partnership is a powerful step forward in raising the profile of women’s sports in Pittsburgh and fostering a culture of opportunity and inclusion.”

The Riveters take the field for the very first time Friday, May 16, when they host the Cleveland Force at 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. The match can be seen live on SNP+, and tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

About 84 Lumber

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pa., 84 Lumber Co. is the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates 320 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in 34 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking, and drywall. 84 Lumber, a certified women’s business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy, has earned widespread recognition for its industry leadership and commitment to excellence. Named one of Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies in America for both 2024 and 2025, 84 Lumber was also honored as one of USA Today’s Top Retailers in 2024. For three consecutive years, 84 Lumber has been honored as one of America’s Best Large and Mid-Size Employers by Forbes and has also earned a spot on the list of America’s Top Private Companies from 2019 to 2024. In 2023, the company was also honored with a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies. For more information, visit 84lumber.com or join us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

About Pittsburgh Riveters SC

Beginning play in 2025, Pittsburgh Riveters SC was established as the City of Pittsburgh’s first team in the USL W League. By bringing a high level of women’s soccer to the city, the Riveters strive to provide a pathway for players as they make the leap to the professional game, while setting an example for the next generation of girls in sports. The team plays its home games at Highmark Stadium, which opened in 2013 on Pittsburgh’s South Shore as the team-owned, soccer-specific home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC men’s professional team.

Riveters kit reveal event coming May 14

by

PITTSBURGH (May 6, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riveters SC will celebrate the launch of its debut USL W League season with a special night of entertainment for fans, as the team hosts its Kit Reveal and Fan Fest on Wednesday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at Highmark Stadium, the home of the Riveters.

This one-night-only event will offer fans their first chance to meet the Riveters players and coaching staff, experience the unveiling of the team’s official inaugural kits produced by CHARLY USA, and enjoy an evening filled with on-field games, giveaways, and family-friendly activities.

“This is more than a jersey reveal, it’s a rallying cry for women’s sports in Pittsburgh,” said Jeff Garner, President of Pittsburgh Riveters SC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. “We’re proud to introduce this team to the community, not just as athletes, but as the next generation of Riveters who will carry forward the legacy of strength, resilience and pride in our city.”

The event will also include the announcement of the team’s official kit sponsor, marking one of the Riveters’ first Founding Partnerships and a major milestone as the club helps usher in a new era for women’s sports in Pittsburgh.

Admission is free, but pre-registration is encouraged at FEVO to secure giveaways and exclusive early access to merchandise.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see the kits on the field, as the team will be in action Friday, May 16, when they host the Cleveland Force at Highmark Stadium. Tickets for the season opener are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Riveters lock in three more with local roots

by

PITTSBURGH (May 2, 2025) — Another trio of homegrown talents will be added to the inaugural Pittsburgh Riveters roster with the addition of Duquesne University midfielder Jayden Sharpless, University of Cincinnati forward Ashlyn Basinger and Bowling Green University midfielder Minah Syam.

The three players all hail from WPIAL schools and played their club soccer for the Riverhounds Development Academy, making their addition to the Riveters a homecoming to Highmark Stadium.

Sharpless, 21, has started all 37 matches for Duquesne since transferring after her freshman year with Georgia State. Last season, the Dukes posted a 9-7-1 record for their first winning season since 2017.

Prior to college, Sharpless was an all-state player for North Catholic High School, winning two WPIAL titles and helping her team reach the PIAA state finals. 

“Jayden is a very experienced central midfield player and is having a very good college career at Duquesne,” Riveters head coach Scott Gibson said. “She will bring intelligence on the field to our group and is very comfortable in possession of the ball. Jayden is also very dangerous from set pieces and has an excellent range of passing. Jayden will bring a lot of depth and experience to our midfield.”

Basinger, 20, just completed her first season with Cincinnati as a sophomore after spending her freshman season with Maryland. She appeared in nine matches and recorded her first career assist in a Big 12 win over Houston.

Originally from Waynesburg, Basinger was a two-time All-WPIAL selection for Waynesburg Central High School one of the WPIAL’s top scorers in her senior season of 2022.

“Ashlyn is a very quick and direct player and will add even more depth and speed to our attack. She likes to take players on 1v1, is technically very good and is a hard-working team player. We are looking forward to working with Ashlyn again this summer,” Gibson said.

Syam, 19, missed her freshman season with Bowling Green last fall due to an injury suffered before the season. An All-WPIAL player for Avonworth High School, she won three consecutive WPIAL titles and twice reached the state final with the Antelopes.

“Minah was a part of the Riverhounds Academy nearly her whole life before moving on to college, so we know exactly the type of player and person we are bringing onto the roster,” Gibson said. “Minah is an absolute competitor, leader and excellent all-around player. She leads by example and makes everyone around her better both on and off the field. We are delighted to have Minah back and can’t wait to see her on the field.”

Opening night for the Riveters is just two weeks away, when the team hosts the Cleveland Force at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16 at Highmark Stadium. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

College trio locked in as Riveters fill out roster

by

PITTSBURGH (April 24, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riveters’ SC has nearly completed the roster for its debut 2025 season with the addition of three more talented Division I players: Olivia Damico from Penn State, Abi Hugh from N.C. State and Sydney Ritter from West Virginia.

Damico, 23, is a midfielder who just completed her career with the Nittany Lions, capping her time there by helping Penn State reach back-to-back NCAA quarterfinals in 2023 and ’24. Originally from Victor, N.Y., Damico finished her senior season with a goal and five assists while appearing in every match for the Nittany Lions, starting 13 of them.

“Olivia is a very smart right-sided player and having played in the NCAA Elite 8 twice and experiencing winning a Big Ten Championship in her time at Penn State will offer quality right away to our team,” Riveters head coach Scott Gibson said. “She is extremely hard working, very good on both the attacking and defensive side of the ball and a leader as a former captain at Penn State. We are excited to welcome Olivia to Pittsburgh and can’t wait to see the impact that she will have on the group.”

Hugh, 22, is also a midfielder who played as a graduate transfer for N.C. State after beginning her career at Marshall in her hometown of Huntington, W.Va. She appeared in every match last season for the Wolfpack after starting 60 of 62 in four years with Marshall, and across both schools, Hugh accounted 11 goals and 10 assists.

“Abi has had an excellent collegiate career at Marshall and N.C. State, and we are delighted to welcome her to Pittsburgh. She is a very talented left-sided player who has tremendous work rate, great positional sense and is excellent technically. She will add immediate value to our team this summer and will bring experience to the group as a former captain at Marshall,” Gibson said.

Ritter, 20, just completed her redshirt freshman season with West Virginia after transferring from Auburn. A forward who hails from Berlin, N.J., Ritter appeared in eight matches during her first season with the Mountaineers, who went 12-5-3 and reached the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated on penalty kicks by No. 5 Kentucky.

“Sydney will offer tremendous power, pace, and athleticism to the team. As a player that has played most her career as an attacking player, she recently has featured for WVU as an outside back. She is very good in 1v1 moments both with the ball and without it, and she will bring versatility and quickness. We are excited to welcome Sydney to the group.”

The Riveters are less than four weeks away from taking the field for the first time, when they host the Cleveland Force on Friday, May 16 at Highmark Stadium. Riveters tickets are available now through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Riveters announce debut season’s promotional schedule

by

PITTSBURGH (April 22, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riveters SC will bring USL W League Soccer to the Steel City for the first time next month, and the club will celebrate its inaugural year with exciting promotional nights for fans of all ages throughout the 2025 season at Highmark Stadium.

The fun begins on Friday, May 16 against the Cleveland Force, when we will mark the start of Riveters history with a special commemorative centerpiece for the first 500 fans. The illuminated glass keepsake and base features the Riveters logo, and fans will also be able to contribute to painting a special Riveters mural on opening night.

As the season rolls on, May 30 vs. Flower City will be the team’s Fundraiser Fest, with $5,000 to be donated to participating charities throughout the night. May 30 also is Ladies Night Aht, featuring half-price Surfside canned cocktail drinks.

June 8 vs. Buffalo will be a continuation of the White Aht weekend, where fans are asked to wear white and fill Highmark Stadium for both the Riverhounds match the night before and the Riveters’ first Sunday contest.

STEM Night comes to Highmark on June 15 against Erie, with special science and technology exhibits and activities around the stadium all night. In addition, the first 750 fans will get a fun and challenging 60-piece, souvenir 3-D puzzle to take home.

Last but not least is the June 27 regular-season finale, when the Riveters host Steel City FC for Soccer is for Everyone Night. The celebration of the sport and bringing everyone together in the community will culminate with a post-match fireworks show, sending out the Riveters’ first season with a bang!

For more information about Riveters SC promotional nights or to buy tickets and parking for 2025 matches, visit riveterssc.com/promotions-schedule.

Presented By