Sophomore Hayley Dowd had two goals and one assist to lead the Boston College women's soccer team past ACC foe, Pittsburgh, 3-1, on Thursday night at the Harvard Soccer Field. Boston College improved to 8-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the conference, while Pittsburgh is now 4-6-1 overall and 1-1-0 in the ACC.

"Every time you can get three points in this league it's a big deal. Every game in this conference you can never predict so to bounce back from the loss to Florida State was really important,'' said BC head coach Alison Foley.

Dowd scored a goal in each half and set up Jana Jeffrey for the third goal of the night in the win. She now has a team-high eight goals this season. It's also the second time this season Dowd has scored two goals in a game.

BC took a 1-0 lead off a beautiful header by Dowd in the 26th minute. Stephanie McCaffrey earned a corner kick to the left of the Pittsburgh goalkeeper Taylor Francis (five saves). Junior Lauren Bernard drove the ball to the middle of the box and Dowd made a great run and out-jumped defenders as she directed the ball past Francis for a BC lead. It was her seventh goal of the season and Bernard's fifth assist.

Seven minutes into the second half, Dowd struck again. Sophomore Rosie DiMartinosent a ball between two Pittsburgh defenders on the left side. Dowd sprinted past the Pittsburgh defense and beat the Panthers goalkeeper to the ball in the box and place it to the near post for a 2-0 Boston College lead. It was her team-leading ninth goal of the season.

The Eagles went up 3-0 two minutes later when Dowd sent a ball to the far left into the box for a hard-rushing Jana Jeffrey. BC's midfielder from Texas slid the ball to the near post for her second goal of the season.

The celebration for BC did not last long as Pittsburgh marched down the field and cut the lead to two goals on a goal from Roosa Arvas.

Boston College freshman Darien Dunham played solid in goal as she had nine saves, including four in the final five minutes of the game. It was Dunham's first career win in just her second start.

"I thought she was excellent. Her decision making to come off her line was really good,'' said Foley of Dunham. "She held on to a few that tried to flick it over her. And her demeanor was excellent. She certainly didn't play like a freshman today.''

The Eagles will next play No. 16 Clemson on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Brandeis College. Fans remember to follow the team on Twitter/@BC_WSOC.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Boys Las Vegas: U17 Players to Watch

TDS Girls Regional Rankings: Class of 2028

ECNL Boys LV National Selection Rosters