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University of Massachusets Athletics
Sunday, September 1
Amherst, Mass.
1 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
2-1-1
2
vs
1
Pittsburgh
2-2-0
1
2
F
Pitt
0
1
1
Massachusetts
0
2
2
Photo by: THOM KENDALL FOR UMASS ATHLETICS
Kössler Lifts Women’s Soccer Past Pitt, 2-1 In Rudd Debut
September 01, 2019 | Women's Soccer
The freshman scored twice in the second half to help the Minutewomen to victory in their home opener.
AMHERST, Mass. – A pair of second half tallies by freshman Melissa Kössler helped lift University of Massachusetts women's soccer to a 2-1 victory over Pitt in the squad's 2019 home debut on Sunday afternoon on Rudd Field. With the win, the Minutewomen move to 2-1-1 on the year, while the Panthers fall to 2-2-0.
"That was a great bounce back from our last game," said UMass head coach Jason Dowiak. "Today we faced an ACC opponent that brought a lot of athleticism, a lot of pressure on us. We've faced a few teams this season that have pressured us really hard, but none quite that hard. I'm really proud of our players for being able to manage the pressure and go up a goal, tie and then still, in the last 10 minutes find another level to get the final goal."
The teams were scoreless through the first half, though UMass was close to getting on the board when junior Kelly Marra sent a ball off the crossbar in the 16th minute.
Pitt turned up the pressure to start the second half forcing Minutewomen goalkeeper Peyton Ryan to come up with four saves in the opening five minutes of the period. The flurry was capped with Sydney Marasco sending a ball off the left post in the 56th minute.
Moments later, Kössler opened the scoring, driving home a feed from senior Rebeca Frisk from the middle of the box, 12 yards out at 58:04 for her second of the season.
In the 81st minute, the Panthers responded by leveling the score at 1-1 with Amanda West converting a penalty kick opportunity.
UMass responded quickly, though, with Kössler drilling a header home at the net front, connecting with a cross from freshman Ansley Frazier in the 87th minute.
Pitt finished the match with a 16-9 shot advantage and led in corner kicks, 4-1. Ryan had six saves in net for the Minutewomen, while Katherine Robinson made two stops for the Panthers.
UMass will be back in action next Thursday, Sept., 5, when the squad will travel to Siena for a 4 p.m. contest in Loudonville, New York.
"That was a great bounce back from our last game," said UMass head coach Jason Dowiak. "Today we faced an ACC opponent that brought a lot of athleticism, a lot of pressure on us. We've faced a few teams this season that have pressured us really hard, but none quite that hard. I'm really proud of our players for being able to manage the pressure and go up a goal, tie and then still, in the last 10 minutes find another level to get the final goal."
The teams were scoreless through the first half, though UMass was close to getting on the board when junior Kelly Marra sent a ball off the crossbar in the 16th minute.
Pitt turned up the pressure to start the second half forcing Minutewomen goalkeeper Peyton Ryan to come up with four saves in the opening five minutes of the period. The flurry was capped with Sydney Marasco sending a ball off the left post in the 56th minute.
Moments later, Kössler opened the scoring, driving home a feed from senior Rebeca Frisk from the middle of the box, 12 yards out at 58:04 for her second of the season.
In the 81st minute, the Panthers responded by leveling the score at 1-1 with Amanda West converting a penalty kick opportunity.
UMass responded quickly, though, with Kössler drilling a header home at the net front, connecting with a cross from freshman Ansley Frazier in the 87th minute.
Pitt finished the match with a 16-9 shot advantage and led in corner kicks, 4-1. Ryan had six saves in net for the Minutewomen, while Katherine Robinson made two stops for the Panthers.
UMass will be back in action next Thursday, Sept., 5, when the squad will travel to Siena for a 4 p.m. contest in Loudonville, New York.
Team Stats
UP
UM
Goals
1
2
Shots
16
9
Shots on Goal
7
4
Saves
2
6
Corners
4
1
Fouls
11
6
Scoring Plays
KOSSLER, Melissa (2)
Assisted By: FRISK, Rebeca
dished off to center, fired from middle
58:04
Amanda West
UP Amanda West PENALTY KICK GOAL.
80:19
KOSSLER, Melissa (3)
Assisted By: FRAZIER, Ansley
header off a cross from 3
86:10
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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