Reading, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's lacrosse team played its first-ever road match on Friday night, taking on Cedar Crest College in Reading, PA. The Panthers started quickly, scoring two early goals, but eventually fell to the Falcons 11-6.
Pitt-Bradford needed just 90 seconds to go in front, as they scored on their second shot of the game. After their first effort missed the net, Addison Molampy took control of the restart. She sprinted past her defender and beat the goalie from close range to open the scoring. A minute later, they took advantage of a Cedar Crest foul to double their lead. With a player advantage, Samantha Burke moved into the offensive zone and went behind the net. She found Olivia Garcia open in front of the goal, who quickly caught the pass and bounced a shot into the net.
The Falcons found a counter to the Panthers' offense after the second, and kept them off the board for the remainder of the quarter. In the same span, they were able to score 3 times to move into the lead. They maintained their momentum as the game moved into the second quarter, scoring two more times in the first 3 minutes of the period.
Pitt-Bradford was finally able to get back on the board with 5:28 left in the half. Molampy received a pass from Zennette Zigler at the top of the offensive zone and slowly scouted the Falcons defense. She waited patiently and then took advantage of a gap in the line, sprinting through a double-team and firing high past the goalie for her second of the game. The Falcons answered back immediately, but the Panthers pulled one back down a player with 30 seconds left in the half. Burke forced a turnover in the offensive zone and then went on the attack. She maneuvered through three defenders before shooting to the far side to put the Panthers down 6-4 at the break.
Neither team was able to score in the 3rd quarter, but the scoreless frame wasn't due to a lack of chances. The Panthers had 6 shots saved by the Cedar Crest Goalie, and also struck the crossbar once. Lily Thuman also did her part to keep the quarter scoreless, making 3 stops in the Panther goal.
In the 4th, the Falcons pushed their lead back to 3 with a goal after 3 minutes, but Pitt-Bradford struck back minutes later. After she was unable to control a bounce pass in the middle of the defense, Christian Abel reached above three defenders to gather a ground ball, and then shot over the defense, past an unexpecting goalie for her first of the game.
The hosts matched the goal a minute later, and then added to their lead with their 9th of the game with 6:15 remaining. On the ensuing draw, Abel was able to control the loose ball, move into the offensive zone, and score her second of the quarter. She picked up the ball in her own half, swerved around multiple defenders, and then shot back across the goal for her 3rd of the season. The Panthers pushed to even the score in the final minutes, but were flagged for two penalties, which resulted in a pair of woman-up goals for the Falcons.
Addison Molampy and Christina Abel each scored a pair of goals for the Panthers. Abel scored her goals on ten shots, while also controlling 5 draws. Molamby took 6 shots, put them all on target, and also picked up 4 ground balls. Samantha Burke had one goal and an assist, while Olivia Garcia also scored. Luly Thuman (1-1) made 6 saves in the loss.
Pitt-Bradford falls to 1-1 on the season after the loss. They will be right back in action tomorrow, as they remain in Eastern Pennsylvania to take on Wilkes. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.
