Haley Neidig's early goal gave Pitt-Johnstown a quick advantage, but Shepherd (WV) followed with three unanswered goals of its own to defeat the Mountain Cats, 3-1, in Thursday's 2023 season-opener at the Pitt-Johnstown Soccer Field.
 
Neidig finished a rebound off of Rams' goalkeeper Alayna Burgamy just over six minutes into the match to give the Mountain Cats a 1-0 lead.
 
However, Lydia Gable's first of two goals on the day knotted it at one in the 34^th minute, before Delaney Bittner put Shepherd on top, 2-1, off of Gable's assist with three minutes remaining in the opening half.
 
Gable then finished an assist from Bittner in the 78^th minute that set the final at 3-1.
 
Megan Giesey played the first 29 minutes in goal for the Mountain Cats and held the Rams scoreless, while making three saves.  Parker Grimm played the final 61 minutes and allowed three goals.  Grimm also made five saves.
 
Burgamy secured the win for Shepherd after surrendering one goal and making a pair of saves.
 
Pitt-Johnstown travels to West Liberty (WV) for a non-conference match on Saturday, before beginning PSAC-West action at Slippery Rock on Wednesday.  The Mountain Cats will the return home to host a conference match against Gannon on Sept. 9, starting at 2 p.m. at the Pitt-Johnstown Soccer Field.