ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Pittsburgh (3-1) scored off a corner kick with just more than two minutes remaining to push past the St. Bonaventure women’s soccer team (0-3) in SBU’s home opener Friday afternoon, 2-1.

After the Bonnies had tied the score in the 81st minute on a Shannon Van Riper penalty kick, the Panthers responded with the corner kick from Roosa Arvas which was sent into the top of the box, headed toward the net by Morgan Sharick and ultimately just kicked over the line – according to the line judge – by Dana Dellefemine.

The goal was the second corner-kick tally of the game by the Panthers, who opened the scoring early in the second half on a Sharick header, which was perfectly delivered into the center of the box by Roosa.

“We have to be sharper on set pieces,” head coach Manoj Khettry said of the two corner-kick goals, “However, I was encouraged by our response after going a goal down. We started to put together passes and gain meaningful possessions.”

Those possessions ultimately resulted in a corner kick for Bonaventure, and on the ensuing scramble, junior midfielder Gina Baldwin was hit hard in the box, resulting in the Pitt foul and subsequent penalty attempt by Van Riper. The redshirt senior confidently finished St. Bonaventure’s first goal of the season by delivering a right-foot strike into the left-side netting for her fifth career goal and first since 2009.

“We’re still a very young team and at times today we had between four and six freshmen on the field,” Khettry said of his still-developing club. “It’s going to take a while for them to get their confidence, but I was encouraged today. We’re just going to need to try and get better each game, and this non-conference schedule – which is the most difficult we’ve ever put together – will serve us well for Atlantic 10 action.”

The majority of the first half was played in the middle of the pitch, with only four shots being attempted – all by Pitt – and just two of those of frame. The second half was much more wide open as the two teams combined for 17 shots and nine corners in the game’s final 45 minutes.

Making her first collegiate start in net, freshman Christina Sarokon stopped four Panthers shots while playing all 90 minutes.

The Bonnies will look to pick up their first win of the season when they remain at home to face Big 4 rival University at Buffalo on Sunday at 1 p.m.

“Our matches with UB have traditionally been one-goal games either way,” Khettry said of the Bulls. “We need to do a better job of creating chances and keeping the ball out of the net to give ourselves a chance to win.”

GAME NOTES: Those looking to access the live stats during the game on GoBonnies.com were unable due to a wireless internet problem on campus … the issue is expected to be corrected in time for Sunday’s game … Athletic Department officials apologize for any inconvenience … the game was the first for SBU assistant coach Morie Kephart against her old school … Kephart, who owns six career records at a Pitt, graduated in 2010 … the first eight fouls of the game were called on the Panthers; however, Bonaventure finished the game by committing 14 fouls to Pitt’s 13.

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