Connecticut Downs Pitt 2-0 in Season Finale
10/31/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2010
WEXFORD, Pa. - The Pitt men's soccer team dropped its 2010 season finale 2-0 against No. 6 Connecticut, Sunday afternoon at North Allegheny High School. Pitt concludes its season at 6-9-2 and 1-6-2 in conference play.
With the help of two second-half goals, the Huskies finish their season at 11-2-4, and 4-1-3 in the BIG EAST.
Connecticut dominated the first half offensively, but was limited to only three shots by Pitt's defense.
The Panthers best scoring opportunity of the half came when senior Alex Betancourt controlled a loose ball and fired it toward the goal in the 36th minute. Husky goalkeeper, Josh Ford deflected the ball to a nearby defender to eliminate the Panther scoring opportunity.
Both teams entered the half at a 0-0 stalemate.
In the 57th minute Shawn Nicklaw crossed the ball from the right side of the field and into the box, where Tony Cascio controlled the pass to maintain Connecticut possession. Cascio then passed the ball to Juho Karppinen who shot the ball from five yards out, past Pitt goalkeeper Hami Kara, and into the back of the net to collect his first career goal.
Two minutes after Connecticut caught a 1-0 lead, they were awarded a penalty kick off a Pitt foul in the box. Karppinen was chosen to take the kick. He fired the ball into the lower right corner of the net to register the game-winning goal and his second of the day.
Junior Ryan Brode led the team with three shots, while Betancourt registered Pitt's only two shots on goal.
Today's match also marked Senior Day for the 2010 Panthers. Six seniors were recognized: Alex Betancourt, Justin Boehm, Terry Boland, Andy Kalas, Connor Malone and Joe Prince-Wright.
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