MANSFIELD – After battling back to tie the game in the second half of play on Sunday afternoon, the Mansfield University women's soccer team dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision on Senior Day versus Edinboro at Karl Van Norman Field.
 
Senior Bria Bittiger continued to produce offensively for the Mounties, providing four shots and a goal, equating to five goals in six games which started with her historic four-game goal streak. Teammate Eleni Gebbia delivered a clutch second half goal, her first of the season, and Nicolette DeSalvatore assisted on both of Mansfield's goals. Freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Moir recorded her season-high of 18 saves, which is the most across the PSAC this season and also stands at third all-time in the Mansfield University history books. With 95 saves on the season in 10 games played, she now has the third most in the conference, and the most per game in comparison to all of the other keepers across the league.
 
Facing a 2-0 deficit,  a rejuvenated Mounties squad found themselves in prime scoring position three minutes into the second half as Alexis Bittel earned a free kick on the right flank, just outside the 18-yard box.  The "modified corner kick" was taken by Breanna Murphy who put the ball across to the left side where DeSalvatore headed the cross. Amid the confusion, Bittiger came through to head the ball into the back of the net, cutting the Fighting Scots lead to 2-1.
 
The Mounties continued to pile the pressure onto Edinboro, tallying three more shots and drawing a corner kick over the next five minutes of play. It was in the 56^th minute when Mansfield struck again. Bittel helped set up the scoring opportunity, crossing a ball into the middle of the box from the right wing. DeSalvatore then collected the pass but collided with a defender. As she went down, the ball fell to the feet of Eleni Gebbia, who turned and snuck a shot through an Edinboro player's legs into the left side of the net. It was her first goal of the season, tying the game 2-2.
 
However, Edinboro countered just five minutes later when Brittnie Spithaler scored her second goal of the game. The Fighting Scots were able to hold the 3-2 advantage for nearly 30 minutes to reclaim the win.  Ellie Frania also scored for Edinboro, and keeper Anna Voelker made six saves in the contest. The team outshot Mansfield 41-11, putting 21 of their shot on net and challenging Moir throughout the game.
 
The Mounties are back in action at home on Wednesday as they play Gannon at 6 p.m., right after the women's field hockey game versus Indiana at 3 p.m.
 
Full coverage and live stat/video feeds of the contest will be available through GoMounties.com and the @MUMounties social media outlets.