Women’s First Team Opens 2026 Campaign with 1-0 Road Victory

By Zander Plizga

Buffalo, NY – Steel City FC opened its 2026 season with a tightly contested 1-0 win at FC Buffalo late Friday evening. Marissa Salisbury (Slippery Rock ’25) scored the game-winner in the season opener. Steel City controlled most of the play by maintaining an aggressive press and handling a fast-paced first half before relying on the calmness and composure of the backline, which helped to stop a late charge from the hosts.

Goalkeeper Ruby Morgan (Eastern Kentucky University ’28) posted her first clean sheet of the season and came up big late by making four saves in the final ten minutes of play. She preserved Steel City’s one-goal lead in the 81^st minute by scrambling across the goal line following a weakside cross to track the late run by Buffalo and smothering a shot just inside the back post.

Steel City’s ability to consistently connect long passes helped them cut through Buffalo’s midfield and create combinations towards goal. The high press helped create some early crossing opportunities and gave Steel City early momentum.

Steel City built through the middle and found Bri Ross (Penn State Behrend ’29) on the wing on multiple occasions, where she was able to work 1 on 1 in the opening half. Despite the early pressure and wide success, Steel City was unable to find the back of the net behind a stifling set of blocks from FC Buffalo’s backline.

Defender Coco Dorfman (Marquette ’28) and Midfielder Kayla Leseck (Duquesne ’27) were at the heart of a majority of the play for Steel City. The duo controlled the tempo of the match, remained calm under Buffalo’s pressure, and dictated the rhythms of the game. Dorfman and Leseck cut through Buffalo’s press with precise passing at all ranges. Their intensity and ability to win duels allowed Steel City to win balls back in important areas and break through Buffalo.

SCFC finally broke through in the 57^th minute when Salisbury found the back of the net following a back heel assist by opened the scoring in the 57^th minute on a back heel assist from Jaclyn Ketter (Kent State ’14). Dorfman started the play with a wide ball to Salisbury, who played it up the line to Ketter, who was 1 on 1 with the left back, just outside the eighteen-yard box. Salisbury made an underlapping run and received a back heel pass from Ketter, broke a tackle, and fired a shot across the frame into the top corner of the net.

The FC Buffalo keeper stood no chance, as Salisbury bagged Steel City’s first goal of the season on a beautifully coordinated attack. Salisbury was a threat down the right flank the whole second half, cutting through defenders, winning balls in advanced positions, and swinging in dangerous back-post crosses. She really

Steel City FC returns to action on Thursday, May 28, when they take on Pittsburgh Riveters SC in a battle of Pittsburgh at Founders Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., with the full game broadcast available HERE.