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Jun 10, 2025 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

PITTSBURGH — Tanum Nelson picked the right time to record the first hat trick in Pittsburgh Riveters history.

Coming off a 1-1 draw in its last match at Erie Sports Center on Thursday, Pittsburgh was in need of three points to stay in contention for the division championship in the Great Forest Division of the USL W League.

Nelson scored all three goals in the Riveters’ shutout over FC Buffalo on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.

Nelson leads Pittsburgh in goals with five. The Riveters are in their inaugural season.

“I had a lot of hat tricks in high school, but not since then, so it felt good,” Nelson said.

The Riveters improved to 3-1-2 (11 points), while FC Buffalo fell to 1-1-1 (four points).

Pittsburgh coach Scott Gibson was proud of his team’s effort after losing a 1-0 lead in stoppage time at Erie Sports Center.

“We were good today,” Gibson said. “Our first half was exactly what we’re looking to do. We were a little frustrated coming out of the tie in Erie. Giving away a goal in basically the last kick of the game.

“I didn’t think that was what we deserved, but that’s part of the game. If you don’t take chances and put teams away, you are always susceptible to a goal.”

The Riveters were also playing without their captain, Tessa Dellarose, who was playing for the US Women in the semifinals of TST (The Soccer Tournament) in Cary, N.C.

Dellarose scored the goal to help the US Women reach the target score of two. The US women advanced to Monday’s final of the TST.

“We were 20 seconds away from six points without her,” Gibson said. “She is an outstanding player, a leader and our captain, so to lose her for the two games has been a test, but I have to mention Abi Hugh, who has been playing left back for us, and Lucia Wells has gotten in there and done a great job. We are glad to welcome Tessa back, and I heard during the game that she scored a goal (in the TST), but that’s typical Tessa.”

Pittsburgh keeper Pauline Nelles earned her third clean sheet this season after making three saves.

“Pualine is a proven goalkeeper,” Gibson said. “She has played in youth World Cups and different things like that. She is a leader, and is a calming influence to our backline.”

The Riveters scored on their first shot on target in the ninth minute when Alexis Tylenda passed to Nelson, who was racing down the right side of the field. Nelson put the shot in the upper right-hand corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Nelson’s brace came in the 20th minute after receiving a perfect pass from Olivia Damico. She put a toe on the ball for a soft touch past Buffalo keeper Bella Simoncelli. Nelson completed the hat trick in the 41st minute on an unassisted tally. Damico’s cross from the right was played by a member of the FC Buffalo backline, but the ball ricocheted to Nelson, who took a touch, and fired the ball into the back of the net.

“I think it’s more a testament to my teammates (getting the hat trick) because all of them were set up beautifully by my teammates,” Nelson said. “There was one opportunity where I slid, and I was annoyed by that one because I should have put that in. All credit goes to my teammates. They made great passes and set me up.”

Pittsburgh outshot FC Buffalo, 21-11, including a 10-3 advantage in shots on target. The home team had a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

Despite being peppered with shots, Simoncelli made seven saves.

The Riveters return to action on Wednesday at Founders Field in Cheswick against Steel City FC (2-0-2, 8 points) in the first of two matches.

Pittsburgh has a three-point edge over Steel City in the division standings, but Steel City has two matches in hand. Cleveland has eight points, but owns the tiebreaker after defeating the Riveters. The Force also have a game in hand on Pittsburgh.

Dellarose will be available for the match at Steel City.

“I think we’ve been playing well,” Gibson said. “You make your own luck, but we haven’t had a lot of luck in some of the games. It has just been a lack of experience we’ve lacked in closing games out. We have a very young backline and a young team. It will be a tricky game, and not an easy game, but we look forward to making the short trip to Founders Field.”

The match was delayed 36 minutes due to lightning in the area, but once the first whistle blew, the home team took control.

“We would like to focus on our own play, and coming away with three points was the biggest focus for the day,” Nelson said.