By:
Saturday, July 12, 2025, TRIB-LIVE
Kate Friday spent much of the Fourth of July looking around with astonishment. But it wasn’t the fireworks that caught her eye. The 19-year-old Fox Chapel graduate and 5-foot-7 midfielder for the Pittsburgh Riveters was swept up in the community’s response to her team.
Nearly 4,200 fans attended the Riveters’ 2-0 loss to Minnesota Aurora FC during a USL W Central Conference semifinal at Highmark Stadium.
“It was crazy in a good way,” Friday said. “After the game, there were little girls who wanted our signatures. I felt famous. I couldn’t believe so many people came to see us play on a holiday.”
Friday appeared in nine games for the Riveters (6-2-3) during their inaugural season. She earned her first start in the playoffs after the team had to do some shuffling due to injuries and otherwise unavailable players.
The USL W League is a pre-professional league designed to help players seeking to play professionally or at the collegiate level. Pittsburgh was without six starters, including Tessa Dellarose, who typically plays Friday’s position and was out with a quad injury.
Friday said Riveters coach Scott Gibson did a good job of preparing her for her first start.
“He needed someone who could be fast and mobile and play the full 90 minutes,” Friday said. “I am good defensively and am fit, which is what he needed.”
The Riveters struggled to get the ball away from Minnesota, which had a more experienced roster. Pittsburgh had three high school players who saw significant minutes.
Aurora netted a goal right before halftime to take the lead. Minnesota added one off a free kick in the second half to seal the win.
Gibson said after the game that he was pleased with how his group gained experience throughout the season. The Riveter qualified for the playoffs by winning the Great Forest Division.
“It’s the first time I’m sitting in this chair after a defeat at home,” Gibson said following the game. ”So that is a testament to the group. It has been wonderful. The city, the fans, everything’s embraced it. … It kind of went perfectly for me, right?”
Friday wants to use the momentum from this summer as she heads to a new college, Florida Gulf Coast. She appeared in eight games for Xavier as a freshman.
“I wanted to try and earn a starting spot and play high minutes,” Friday said. “The biggest thing I learned from the Riveters is the speed you have to play at. You have to work hard and be patient.”