PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University women's soccer secured a big result Thursday afternoon with a 1-0, River States Conference victory over visiting University of Rio Grande (Ohio) at Highmark Stadium. It was the sixth win in a row for the Pioneers, who are now 3-0 RSC.
Gabby Widman knocked in the only goal of the game just 4:04 after kickoff to lift Point Park (6-4, 3-0 RSC) to the win. A free kick from Chloe Bowser was deflected by the Rio Grande defense on the 18-yard line, and it settled right to Widman at the top of the circle. She banged it in for the goal.
Here's the highlight courtesy of @PointParkSports on Twitter and the Point Park Sports Network on Stretch Internet:
Riding the momentum of the early goal, Point Park maintained control and kept the pressure on. The Pioneers put up 21 shots compared to just seven for Rio Grande while enjoying the majority of the attack and possession. The Pioneers had a 12-3 advantage in shots as part of a big first half.
The Point Park defense -- which has given up just two goals during the current, six-game win streak -- did not allow Rio Grande to get too much going. The RedStorm had just a handful of chances, and the Pioneers' defense was there to respond each time.
A big moment to preserve the shutout was Ashtyn Webb's diving save midway through the first half to prevent a goal. It was one of three stops in her shutout. Rio Grande's other good chance came in the 86th minute, but Brooklyn Pritt's shot from the right side trickled a few feet wide and to the left after she had gotten free down the right side.
Point Park plays the second half of its RSC weekend at home Saturday night versus WVU Tech (4-3, 1-1 RSC). Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. WVU Tech lost at Carlow Thursday night, 1-0, in overtime. Point Park and Carlow currently lead the conference at 3-0 RSC.
Follow the Pioneers online at PointParkSports.com and on social media @PointParkSports.
