June 20, 2022

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Rochester Lady Lancers extended their unbeaten streak to four games and moved within striking distance of first-place FC Buffalo after recording a 1-0 win at the Pittsburgh Hotspurs in United Women's Soccer action on Saturday night.

Rochester, who are 3-0-1 during their streak, improved to 3-1-1 overall and 10 points while Pittsburgh fell to 0-4-2.

Taylor Ashe tallied her first goal of the season in the 72nd minute.

"We needed this win to stay in contention for first place," Lady Lancers head coach Adam Schwartz said. "The match Friday becomes monumental against Buffalo. To travel today, for 4 1/2 four hours, is significant to be able to come off the pitch with a win."

The Lady Lancers visit FC Buffalo (4-1-1, 13) on Friday, June 24.

Schwartz said the field was not optimal for soccer. It is usually used for rugby and there were ruts on the pitch.

"We did enough what we needed to do today to win and that was most important," he said. "The pitch was a grass field, a rugby field. It was it was tough. It's different than what we're used to playing on. We like to pride ourselves on keeping the ball and possessing the ball. It was a challenge."

Ashe, a Victor, N.Y. native who has played at William Smith College, connected for the lone score past goalkeeper Kelly Lemke to settle matters off a Hannah Knych feed.

"She recently had her tonsils out," Schwartz said. "This was her first game back for us. It was a real positive step forward for her."

Schwartz said the Lady Lancers found their 'rhythm in the second half."

"We had a lot of opportunities but finally finishing one, that was a turning point in the match because then they just started sending many players forward."

Regular goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti could not attend the match. Earlier in the week, the Lady Lancers signed Pittsburgh native Maddie Vukas, a former University of Pittsburgh keeper who is transferring to Bowling Green University. Vukas acquitted herself well.

"She made a couple of made a couple of great saves," Schwartz said. "She managed the box well."

In the 86th minute, Jisela Dall tried to give Rochester some breathing room, but goalkeeper Kelly Lemke made a save

After playing at FC Buffalo in their final regular-season road match, the Lady Lancers will return home to play their final three games of the regular season against FC Berlin at Aquinas Institute on June 26, Pittsburgh on July 2 and Erie Commodores on July 10. All home games kick off at 2 p.m.

The Rochester Lancers are the oldest soccer brand in the United States as they started playing in the American Soccer League in 1967.