University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Richmond
Panthers Men's Soccer Upended by Richmond, 5-1
9/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 18, 2011
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team could not sustain the University of Richmond on Sunday at Ambrose Urbanic Field, dropping a 5-1 decision.
The Panthers' (2-5-1) lone score came from sophomore Nico Wrobel, who netted his team-high fifth goal of the season.
"We got them to 2-1 and I thought we had a chance because we were pressing them and taking all kinds of shots, but then we gave up a weak goal," said head coach Joe Luxbacher after the game. "We took a risk to get back in it and pushed two defenders and played four up front and they caught us twice."
The Spiders (1-4-1) struck first in the 36th minute when Spencer Schiff sent a strike from 12 yards out to the far side of the goal. UR stretched its advantage to 2-0 just after the second half start when Timmy Albright directed a header just over the outstretched hand of Pitt goalkeeper's Keegan Gunderson.
The Panthers had a great many opportunities to score in the second half with a host of great looks, but UR goalie Thomas Hand came up big for the visitors with seven of his 10 saves in the period. Pitt defender Shane Flowers sent a bullet into the box in the 63rd minute as the ball was juggled and stopped short by Hand.
Pitt got on the board in the 67th minute when Wrobel scored his fourth penalty kick tally of the season.
The Spiders, however, answered shortly thereafter to - again - take a two-goal lead on Albright's second goal on the afternoon.
Pitt moved two defenders from the backline, using four in the front to attempt to close the gap. The move allowed Richmond to score a pair of breakaway scores which resulted in the final.
"This game was a set-back as we were playing better. I thought Friday night (1-0 win over Duquesne) was our best effort," Luxbacher added. "The focus was not there and that's the result"
The Panthers recorded a season-high 24 shots in the game, 11 of those on goal.
Pitt is back in action on Friday, Sept. 23, traveling to Rutgers for its Big East opener.
Corner Kicks: Pitt 9, Richmond 2
Shots: Pitt 24, Richmond 14
Saves: Pitt (Keegan Gunderson 2); Richmond (Thomas Hand 10)
Fouls: Pitt 5, Richmond 8
