Nigerian midfielder Deborah Abiodun made a significant impact, inspiring University of Pittsburgh to an emphatic 3-0 win over Syracuse by scoring a brace last weekend.
The 20-year-old Super Falcons starlet broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a powerful header, converting a well-placed corner from teammate Sarah Schulansky, Footballrover reports.
This came just eight minutes after her initial attempt to test the Syracuse goalkeeper but was denied scoring opportunities.
Abiodun wasn’t finished, as she found the net again five minutes after scoring the opening goal.
A brace by Deb
+ Another long range screamer from Ellie
= A 3-0 Panther win!#H2P pic.twitter.com/f4tfVN4GLY— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) October 14, 2024
She doubled her tally of the game with a scramble in the box, where she pounced on a loose ball and expertly drove it into the top right corner, handing Pittsburgh a 2-goal advantage and effectively putting the game out of Syracuse’s reach.
The final blow came in the 86th minute when Schulansky, already the provider for Abiodun’s first goal, delivered another assist.
Her perfectly weighted pass set up Ellie Coffield to score Pittsburgh’s third, securing Schulansky’s record as the all-time leader in single-season assists for the Panthers.
Setting the new standard‼️
With two more assists today, Sarah Schupansky has set the school single-season record for assists, with 15. 👏#H2P pic.twitter.com/gNCCR5K5NB
— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) October 13, 2024
This result gives Pittsburgh consecutive wins and solidifies their eighth-place position in the fiercely competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Abiodun’s remarkable display continues her rise in the NCAA spotlight, especially after overcoming an early-season injury that sidelined her for six matches.
With postseason aspirations still within reach, her return to form has injected fresh hope into Randy Waldrum team’s campaign.
As the Panthers continue their quest in the ACC, Abiodun’s leadership and skill on the field could be the key to pushing her team further up the rankings.
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