Valley Forge and Pitt-Bradford Battle to 1-1 Draw in Season Opener

BRADFORD, PA – August 30, 2025 – Valley Forge and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford played to a thrilling 1-1 draw at UPMC Field on Friday night, with both teams earning their first points of the 2025 season.

The Panthers of Pitt-Bradford struck first in the 32nd minute when Bailee Verdill found the back of the net off assists from Conner Rudsell and Brady Hathaway. Verdill was the standout performer for the Panthers, recording four shots on goal and consistently pressuring the Valley Forge defense throughout the match.

Valley Forge goalkeeper Jayce Blanton was the story of the first half, making eight crucial saves to keep his team within striking distance despite being out shot 20-2 in the opening 45 minutes. 

The Patriots showed tremendous resilience in the second half, weathering continued pressure from Pitt-Bradford while creating more attacking opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 87th minute when Edras Turcios-Valle scored the equalizer, sending the Valley Forge bench into celebration. Check it out below:
 

Key Statistics:

• Shots: Pitt-Bradford dominated with 36 total shots compared to Valley Forge's 5
• Shots on Goal: Panthers held a 17-2 advantage in shots on target
• Corner Kicks: Pitt-Bradford earned 11 corner kicks to Valley Forge's 0
• Saves: Blanton was exceptional with 16 saves for Valley Forge, while Christopher House made 1 save for the Panthers

"This was a character-building performance for our team," said a Valley Forge spokesperson. "Playing a man down for most of the match and still finding a way to get a result shows the heart of this group. Jayce Blanton was phenomenal between the posts."

Pitt-Bradford will rue the missed opportunity to secure all three points after dominating possession and creating numerous scoring chances. The Panthers' 36 shots represented one of the most lopsided shot differentials in recent memory, but they were unable to find a second goal past the inspired Blanton.

Both teams will look to build on this result as they continue their 2025 campaigns. The draw leaves Valley Forge with a 0-1-1 record while Pitt-Bradford moves to 0-0-1.

The match showcased the competitive spirit and determination that defines collegiate soccer, with both sides earning valuable experience in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.