The University of Pittsburgh of Bradford women’s soccer team moved closer to securing a first-round bye in the AMCC postseason tournament by blanking Medaille 2-0 Wednesday afternoon.

Neither team scored in the opening period as both defenses limited scoring chances. The Panthers broke through early in the second half when Stephannie Gaudette found Lindsay Sherman streaking to her left seconds before the Medaille keeper poked the ball away. Sherman easily tracked down the ball and scored her fifth goal of the season.

Moments later, Dani Zeamer took a ball off a free kick in Pitt-Bradford’s half, dribbled through traffic and fired a shot from the top of the box that slipped past the diving goalkeeper. It was Zeamer’s fifth tally of the season and her third in the last two games.

Medaille would frantically apply pressure late in the match but the defense was equal to the task, killing off any scoring chances, including a save by Alex Snellbaker on a ball that got past goalkeeper Alisa Cornell.

Pitt-Bradford outshot the Mavericks 16-6, including 11-2 in the second half, and held a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks. Cornell recorded a pair of saves while posting her conference-leading ninth shutout of the season.

“I was happy with the professional attitude our team took toward the game,” said head coach Mike Idland. “Medaille came out with a lot of purpose, understandably as they have a lot to play for in terms of the playoff hunt.

“The difference for me was our composure in the top third and the efficiency of our attack.  Both goals were first rate. In each case the set up was as nice as the finish.”

Pitt-Bradford improves to 12-2-1 on the season and 6-1-1 in the AMCC.  The Panthers remain in second in the league standings and will wrap up conference play on Saturday at Pitt-Greensburg.