LATROBE, Pa. (Sept. 19, 2023) – The Saint Vincent women's soccer team was edged, 1-0, by Westminster College in each teams' Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opener at UPMC Field.
 
A goal off of a corner kick in the second minute proved to be the difference for Westminster (7-0, 1-0 PAC), which remained perfect on the season, though Saint Vincent (4-3, 0-1 PAC) battled back to control play over the second half, producing a number of scoring chances.
 
The Titans went on the offensive from the start, with SVC keeper Madison Arnold forced to make a save from in close just 68 seconds into play. The save would lead to a corner kick that was promptly knocked over the end line by the SVC defense, forcing a second corner. This time, Chloe LaRosa leapt in traffic and headed the ball into the cage to give the Titans the early 1-0 lead.
 
As the half wound down, Saint Vincent would gain the edge in possession. The hosts' first prime scoring chance came in the 25th minute, when a shot from Tanisha Grewal was saved and led to another corner kick, off of which an attempt from Reegan Leeper was also stopped by Titan keeper Morgan Murphy.
 
Seven minutes later, Emma Koller tallied SVC's third shot on goal of the half, again saved by Murphy. The Bearcats would take two corner kicks over the final nine minutes of the frame, but were unable to capitalize, as the Titans headed into the intermission holding onto the one-goal lead.
 
The Bearcats controlled possession throughout the second half. Their next scoring opportunity came in the 61st minute, when a failed Titan clearing attempt led to a long run by Olivia Toomey, who sent a low blast in from 25 yards out that was stopped by Murphy.
 
After Arnold saved a Westminster shot from 20 yards out in the 82nd minute, the SVC offense would go on the attack over the game's final five minutes. With 2:10 left, Jude Galvin picked off a Westminster clearing attempt and ripped a blast from 35 yards out that appeared ticketed to the upper corner of the net but was punched over the crossbar by Murphy. On the ensuing corner, Addie Fisher sent a lofting ball into traffic on the doorstep. It deflected off the head of Grewal and was picked up by Galvin, but her shot was corralled by Murphy with 1:50 left. The hosts were unable to put together a final rush, and the Titans held on for the win.
 
The Bearcats out-shot the Titans 8-7 for the match, including a 6-2 margin in shots on goal, while Westminster held a slight 6-5 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Saint Vincent will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 23, traveling to Washington, Pennsylvania, to take on PAC foe Washington & Jefferson beginning at 1 p.m.