Point Park’s very own women’s soccer team was able to defeat the Carlow University Celtics 4-3 in overtime this week on Tuesday, Oct. 6, but were defeated two days later on Thursday, Oct. 8 against the Midway University Eagles, 4-3. Both games were played at home at the Montour Junction Sports Complex, leaving the Pioneers with a current record of 2-2. 

The Celtics looked to be entirely in control during the first half of Tuesday’s game in the inner-city rivalry, scoring two goals in the first 15 minutes of the match before adding a third right before half time. The Pioneers would not surrender though. A storming comeback came late in the second half with a Bailey Boyd Penalty Kick goal at the 65th minute. 

Junior forward Taylor Goldstrohm would score the next one off of a corner kick at the 72nd minute, and junior forward Nola McGuire would net the tying goal in the 82nd minute on a crossing pass into the box. The game would go eight minutes into overtime before freshman defender Athena Beck called game, putting in the game winner at the 98th minute in an outstanding comeback for the Pioneers. 

“We didn’t quit when we got down,” Goldstrohm said. “I think that was the biggest thing. Our character as a team came out and we just played until the whistle blew.” 

It also helped that the team kept Carlow to only two shots during the entire second half, and were able to put up 13 of their own, compared to the first half where the Celtics outshot the Pioneers six to five. Point Park would end with 21 shots (16 on net) compared to Carlow’s measly eight (four on net). 

The second game of the week was similar to the first, with Midway leading very early in the game, scoring three goals in a matter of 13 minutes between the 23rd and 36th minute, with midfielder Bryann Bradley scoring the first two. Taylor Goldstrohm would score right before the half at the 42nd minute to bring the Pioneers within two again. Point Park would once again storm back, with junior midfielder Britney Adrian scoring one at the 50th minute, and Nola McGuire following suit in the 54th minute to tie the game up at three a piece. The game would go late, but the Eagles would eventually break through, with Bradley scoring the hat trick during the 83rd minute to give Midway the win. 

Point Park once again heavily out shot their opponents in the game, firing a total 26 shots (14 on net) compared to Midway’s 10 (seven on net). Three yellow cards were given out during the game as well, with two being distributed to Midway and one to Point Park. 

The Pioneers look to bounce back quickly with a game Monday, Oct. 12 against Ohio Christian University at home again, a makeup game due to a previous postponement. The team will have to pack quickly for their next two games on the road, the first being on Thursday, Oct. 15 against Indiana University East, and Saturday, Oct.17 against Indiana University Kokomo. The girls will have four more games to play after this, making it a mad dash to end the regular season before October ends, with seven games to play over the next three weeks, including three road games and four home games. 

“It is a very weird thought that the season has only just really gotten started but it’s already October,” said junior forward Bailey Boyd. “I think with the shortened season it’ll leave the team with more gas in the tank to continue competing in the postseason at the same rate of play as we have been now.” 

The run for the playoffs starts now.