Nigeria Players Abroad
Deborah Abiodun the heroine as Pittsburg University nick draw against Notre Dame
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria midfielder Deborah Abiodun was the heroine of the match as she helped the University of Pittsburgh to a 1-1 draw with Notre Dame at the Ambrose Urbanic Field on Sunday.
Abiodun started the encounter alongside Landy Mertz, Samiah Phiri, Amanda West, Sarah Schupansky, Chloe Minas, Ashley Moon, Katie Zailski, Lainie Fuchs, Ashton Gordon, and Ellie Breech in goal.
After a goalless first half, Notre Dame opened the scoring and were heading towards a win before Abiodun struck inside the last ten minutes.
The Panthers created moment as both Chloe Minas and Amanda West came close in the first 45 minutes of play.
Both the Panthers and the Fighting Irish went into the locker room scoreless. Pitt held a fighting edge at the half with 7-6 shots, 4-3 shots on goal, three saves, and four corners.
Starting in the second half, the Panthers continued to create scoring opportunities. Notre Dame and Pitt went back and forth, up and down the field, attempting to place the first shot on goal.
The Fighting Irish, Kristina Lynch, made a path for herself directly to the goal, going head-to-head with Ellie Breech. Lynch was able to put Notre Dame on the board first after finding the bottom center of the goal.
In the 82nd minute, Abiodun headed in the equaliser from Keera Melenhorst’s corner kick.
The former Rivers Angels played full 90 minutes scoring a crucial goal for her team in the process.
The Panthers will stay at Ambrose Urbanic Field as they welcome Boston College on Saturday, September 30.
