Tanum Nelson became the first player in Pittsburgh Riveters history to record a hat trick Sunday evening and also gave the local team a 3-0 victory over FC Buffalo at Highmark Stadium.
The Vermont native, who scored the first goal in team history earlier this season, helped the Riveters improve to 3-1-2 and remain atop the Great Forest Division in the USL W.
All three goals came in the first half.
Nelson, a rising senior at Cornell, scored on an assist from Alexis Tylenda in the ninth minute. Then, in the 20th minute, Olivia Damico slid a pass to Nelson along the left side, and she beat Buffalo keeper Bella Simoncelli.
Just before halftime, Nelson scored again on a cross from Damico.
The Riveters held a 21-11 advantage in shots over Buffalo (1-2-1). Goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made three saves for her third shutout. Pittsburgh’s next test will be a road game at Steel City FC (2-0-2) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Founders Field in Indiana Township.
