The women’s soccer team went 1-0-1 this week at home, defeating Midway University on Thursday, Oct. 6 2-0, and drawing a tie against Indiana University-East on Saturday, Oct. 8 1-1. The results raise the Pioneer’s record 4-6-1, with a River State Conference (RSC) record of 3-0-1; good enough for second in the conference. 

“I think spirits are very high. We’ve played four really solid games of (RSC) soccer,” junior goalkeeper Ella Serlin said, who started in both games. “We are connecting really well, and are reaching our goals, and beating obstacles with ease. We are prepared for the tough competition that lays ahead of us, but we will be walking into it with confidence in our abilities.” 

Game one against the Midway Eagles was another solid outing for the Pioneers, with Point Park’s offense coming out the gate flying. Only two minutes into the contest, Point Park was able to drive the ball into Midway territory and get a corner kick before the second minute even began. Junior middle Athena Beck would find the early goal with a header off the corner, making it 1-0 quickly. Point Park’s defense would completely shut down the Eagles offense throughout the first half, limiting Midway to a singular shot, which went wide. 

The second half began with continued dominance by the Pioneers, keeping the offensive pressure in the Eagles’ side of the pitch, before finally giving themselves an insurance goal in the 70th minute. Once again on a corner kick, this time it would be senior forward Holly Pascoe who would find the goal, making it 2-0, which would stay as the final score of the contest. Midway would get their final two shots in the final three minutes of the contest, which were both saved. 

Point Park collected 20 shots in the contest, landing 11 of them on net. Pascoe led the team in shots, taking six while four would land on goal, with Beck following right behind with five of her own, with three landing on net. Freshman defender Mireya Rojas collected the assists on both goals. 

Game two would be a much closer affair between the two RSC rivals, as the IU-East Wolves came to Pittsburgh. The first half would be a very back and forth contest between the two sides, as neither team could seem to get a foothold on the other offensively, and neither seemingly able to get the ball into a dangerous position. With the game scoreless after the first half, IU East would find the first goal of the contest. The Wolves would find the first goal after Point Park were not able to get a clear in the 52nd minute, making it a 1-0 game and the first deficit the Pioneers had seen since Sept. 17, when they took on #2 ranked Spring Arbor University. 

Point Park wouldn’t stay behind for long. Only a minute later, sophomore forward Tamaya Wolford would jump on an opportunity, getting the ball away from the Wolves’ goalkeeper and getting it past to make it a 1-1 game in the 53rd minute. Both teams would make a mad scramble for the go-ahead goal in the final 10 minute, but neither team could find it, drawing the game to a close at a tie. 

The game was split down to the scorecard, with Point Park getting off only seven shots, with five landing on goal. IU-East would only get off five, with four making their way on net. Wolford would lead the team in shots with three, with all of them landing on net. Beck would be right behind her with two of her own, with one landing on net. 

The team will go on a road trip this week, with a road matchup this Thursday, Oct. 13 against in-conference Brescia University, in Owensboro, Kentucky. Game two of the week will be on Saturday, Oct. 15 against St. Mary of the Woods College, in Terre Haute, Indiana. With only six games remaining in their season, all six will be RSC games. Their next home game will be a contest against WVU Tech on Thursday, Oct. 20.