Pitt trails twice and ties SMU 2-2 in the season finale in Dallas

DALLAS. Maci Tew and Lola Abraham each scored an equalizer as Pitt tied SMU 2-2 on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium in Dallas in the season finale. Pitt trailed twice and tied the game twice, the second time with 15 minutes and 29 seconds left in regulation.

SMU (6-7-5, 1-6-3 ACC) took the lead at 10:11. Julianne Richter scored, assisted by Brooke Bunton and Libby Jannereth. SMU played the ball behind the Pitt backline, and Richter slotted the shot past Elli Johnson, who had come off her line.

Pitt (7-8-3, 1-7-2 ACC) tied the game at 22:19. Abraham sent a cross into the box, and the SMU keeper deflected the ball out. The carom found Tew, who put it away. The goal was the third of the season for Tew, and the teams went into halftime tied 1-1. Pitt outshot SMU 9-5 in the first half.

SMU took the lead again at 63:21, on an unassisted goal by Bunton. The goal came from a scrum in the box after a corner kick. The corner was cleared at first to the top of the 18-yard box, and Bunton got a foot on the ball and slotted it past a diving Johnson. Pitt had drawn three corner kicks in the first 20 minutes of the second half before SMU scored.

Abraham tied the game again at 74:31. Sage Stelzer found Abraham at the top of the box. Abraham got around her defender with her footwork and picked out the far corner. The goal was the third of the year for Abraham, assisted by Stelzer.

Pitt needed a win to keep its NCAA tournament hopes alive and kept attacking after the second equalizer. Pitt generated a handful of dangerous chances in the closing minutes and did not score again. SMU outshot Pitt 14-13 for the game. Pitt took nine corner kicks to six for SMU.

Johnson played 90 minutes in goal for Pitt and made two saves, both in the second half. Aubrey Brown played 90 minutes in goal for SMU and made no saves. Pitt’s two shots on goal were its two goals.

Pitt finishes the year 7-8-3 overall and 1-7-2 in ACC play. SMU finishes 6-7-5 overall and 1-6-3 in ACC play.

Goals: SMU, Richter 10:11, Bunton and Jannereth. Pitt, Tew 22:19, Abraham. SMU, Bunton 63:21, unassisted. Pitt, Abraham 74:31, Stelzer. Halftime: Pitt 1, SMU 1. Attendance: 646.