Pittsburgh, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford soccer team saw their hosts, Chatham, score three early goals and were unable to make up the deficit, losing 5-3 in Pittsburgh.
Coming off of a season-opening tie, looked to build off the draw, but fell behind within 4 minutes. The Cougars took advantage of miscommunication among the Panther defense on a free kick as Ken Richard converted a header on the back post to open the scoring. The lead did not last long, as Chase Rider was able to pull the Panthers even after just one minute. Rider sprinted up the wing following a lofted back pass by the Cougars. He was able to beat the onrushing goalkeeper to the ball and after a touch around him slotted a shot into the goal.
The Cougars were able to regain their advantage after 8 minutes. They were able to move past the Panther defense to get to the end line and play a pass back to the 18, where Pascal Despinos was waiting to put a one-time strike into the side netting. They added to the lead a few minutes later, when Franco Ibanez got open on a corner kick and volleyed home the third Cougar goal.
The Panthers were able to battle back once again, as Rider doubled his tally to cut into the lead. In the 15th minute, TJ Magro played a long ball behind the Chatham defense which Rider was again able to outrun the defense to collect. After getting to the ball, Rider coolly chipped a shot over the onrushing keeper for his second of the day.
The game calmed down after its frenetic start, as the score remained 3-2 until the 54th minute. Chatham was able to restore their 2-goal advantage when a give-and-go saw Ryan Tahbaz get behind the defense. Tahbaz was able to cross the ball to the back post where it was headed in the goal by Leandro Nasso. The Cougars were able to add a fifth in the 73rd minute when Austin Hogan was unable to clear a ball off the line and was tagged with an own goal.
Pitt-Bradford did respond to the fifth goal to end on a high note. Just over a minute after the own goal, Jan Winnewisser chipped a ball over the Cougar defense to find Brent Kennedy. Kennedy collected the pass, was able to dribble back around the defense, and hammer a shot into the net for his first goal of the season.
In his first action of the season, AMCC Co-Offensive Player of the Year Chase Rider scored two goals on three shots on goal. The goals moved Rider's career total to 19. Kennedy's tally was also his first of the season and the fifth of his career. He took two shots in the game, with both being on target. Sihle Sizani made 14 saves in the game, a new career-high for the senior keeper.
The Panthers (0-1-1) will be right back in action tomorrow, as they will take on another President's Athletic Conference Foe. They travel to West Virginia where they will play Bethany at 2:30 p.m. The game will be held at Highlands Sports Complex in Triadelphia, W.V.
