The Women’s soccer team took a split in their final two non-conference games to start their season, winning a dominant 10-0 over Washington Adventist on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and falling to #2 ranked Spring Arbor 5-0 on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Pioneers now sit at 1-6 before they begin conference play on Thursday, Sept. 22. Although their record may look rough around the edges, the team has had to take on their toughest opponents to start their season this year. 

“Our opening schedule has seen us face a lot of very strong and disciplined teams,” senior forward Holly Pascoe said. “With a roster full of new players and coaches this season, we have had to work really hard on our chemistry and building our attack.” 

Game one was a road trip to Takoma Park, Maryland for the Pioneers, and after a fairly slow start for the offense this year, Point Park decided to turn up the heat against WAU. In the first 11 minutes of the contest, Point Park was able to put up three goals, with the first coming within the first 10 seconds of the contest. Pascoe scored two of those goals, scoring the second and third in the contest in the 7th and 11th minute. After the first 45 minutes, Point Park already held a 3-0 lead over the Shock. After an already dominant first half, the Pioneers continued to stomp on the gas pedal. After putting up 20 shots in the first half alone, the team put up another 21 shots in the second half. In those 21 shots, 13 of them landed on net, with an absurd seven of the said shots going through for goals. The Pioneers would total 41 shots, with 25 landing on net in an absolute avalanche of an offensive game. The Shock were only able to muster three shots in the match in what was also a strong defensive showing in Point Park’s first win of the season. Senior Middle Elisa Ferrer would tie Pascoe in goals with two in the contest, as junior goalkeeper Ella Serlin would receive the shutout. 

“Once the goals started coming, we had the confidence, momentum, and stamina on our side to keep the ball high and apply constant offensive pressure,” Pascoe said.

Game two saw the Pioneers return to Pittsburgh, taking on the second ranked team in the nation in the Spring Arbor University. The Cougars would come out firing on all cylinders at Montour Junction, scoring first in the 4th minute and never looking back. SAU would score another three in the first 45 minutes, putting them up 4-0 before the end of the first half, a complete flip flop from game one for the Pioneers. The Cougars would put another one up on the board in the 57th minute to make it 5-0 in the second half, the final score of the contest. SAU would take 25 shots in the game, with 15 landing on net. Point Park would only be able to pick up five shots against the top ranked NAIA Cougars, with only one landing on net. 

“(Spring Arbor) were very fast and physical, and they applied constant pressure to us when we had the ball,” Pascoe said. “I think the biggest thing we learned from that game was how to accept pressure from another team and play our game despite that. Playing top-level teams like Spring Arbor allows us to lift our level of play and become physically and mentally stronger for the next game.” 

The Pioneers will look to turn up the heat in River State Conference (RSC) play, with a cross-town rivalry game against Carlow University on Thursday, Sept. 22, which will be Point Park’s first game returning back to Highmark Stadium this season. The team will finish off their September with a home conference matchup against Ohio Christian University on Saturday, Sept. 24. All home games will continue to be streamed on the Point Park Athletics website.