Pittsburgh, Pa. – Steel City FC (3-3-1) claimed their second consecutive victory Sunday, June 23, when they rallied in the second half with two goals to defeat the Lehigh Valley Tempest 3-1 at the Ellis School on Fifth Avenue. The victory was the last regular season home contest for the Women of Steel.

The Tempest (2-3-1) took an early lead just 3:30 minutes into the matchup off a 35-yard blast from midfielder Alyssa Ryan. It was the team’s first score since putting up five goals on the road Saturday, June 8, against Hershey FC.

Steel City came back and answered with a goal in the 27th minute when Cheyenne Kuncher scored off a Naomi Matthusen pass on the six-yard box. The Black and Gold were persistent in their charge with shots from Laurel Carpenter and Kuncher along with a pair of corners to end the opening half.

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After the break, goalkeeper Jess Neil made vital back-to-back saves in the 48th minute to keep the match knotted at one-all. Jansen Jamison supplied the game-winning goal when she took a shot on the corner of the 18, giving the Women of Steel a 2-1 advantage.

Lehigh Valley head coach Erik Burstein swapped goalies, bringing in Cassidy Landis to take over from Miranda Royds.

Mel Renda provided Steel City another score in the 77th minute off an Emily Indof corner. The Tempest battled Neill one-on-one at 85:45, and the former Seton Hill University goalie made an immense save to preserve the two-goal lead.

Box Score Bits: Steel City held steady against the consistent attack of Lehigh Valley. Kuncher led the Women of Steel with four shots on the afternoon. Helping head coach Tom Ovenden’s offense was the quartet of Jordan Daloisio, Laurel Carpenter, Jamison, and Renda who contributed two shots apiece. Another foursome, Tori Kopchak, Leila Hannaoui, Naomi Matthusen, and Indof each added a volley against the Tempest.

Neill, who collected Renegade GK Save of the Week honors at the end of May, delivered four saves in net, playing all 90 minutes.

Next Up: Steel City wraps up Women’s Premier Soccer League action when they travel to Allentown, PA, Saturday, June 29, for a rematch against Lehigh Valley. The Keystone Division combatants take the pitch at 4:00 p.m. at the Falconplex on the campus of Cedar Crest College.

Friendly Clipboard: The second annual Pittsburgh Public Schools Girls’ Soccer Camp is July 1 – 3 and fifth at the Riverview Park Field. It gets each day underway from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. It is free to all Pittsburgh Public School girls, and they will have the opportunity to meet and work with Steel City FC players. You can obtain more information by emailing steelcityf.c.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

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This story was provided by the front office staff of Steel City FC.