Panthers Host No. 2 Notre Dame Friday
9/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 29, 2016
PITTSBURGH - The Pitt men's soccer team (2-5-2, 0-2-1 ACC) is set to host No. 2 Notre Dame (7-1-0, 2-1-0 ACC) Friday, Sept. 30, at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the Petersen Sports Complex. Action will get underway at 7 p.m.
Fans can view the match on WatchESPN/WatchESPN App via the ACC Network Extra. Live stats will be available through PittsburghPanthers.com.
THE SERIES
- The Fighting Irish hold a 14-3-3 advantage in the series
- The long-time opponents last met in 2015 at Alumni Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Pitt suffered a 5-0 loss.
- The teams first met in 1995 when both were members of the Big East. The Panthers came out with a 3-0 victory in the initial matchup.
- Pitt head coach Jay Vidovich is 0-1-0 against Notre Dame.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Panthers return to Pittsburgh after going 1-0-1 on the road.
- Pitt last played Monday, Sept. 26, in Farmville, Va., against Longwood in non-conference action. The Panthers secured a 2-1 victory over the Lancers.
- Freshman John Fritz netted his first career goal in the 52nd minute, while senior Matt Venanzi sent in the game-winner in the 59th minute.
- Longwood's lone goal came in the 77th minute.
- Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mikal Outcalt made four saves through the 90 minutes.
SCOUTING THE IRISH
- Notre Dame comes to Pittsburgh as the No. 2 team in this week's NSCAA Coaches' Poll. The team was previously ranked third.
- In their last time out, the Fighting Irish upset then-ranked No. 2 Syracuse Friday, Sept. 23 at Alumni Stadium. Junior forward Jon Gallagher secured the Notre Dame win with 18 seconds remaining in the match.
- The victory marked head coach Bobby Clark's 200th career win during his tenure with the Irish.
- Gallagher now has 15 points (six goals, three assists) on the season. His 15 points and six goals tie him for 16th in the nation, respectively.
- Close behind Gallagher is senior Brandon Aubrey who has 13 points (six goals, one assist).
- In goal, senior Chris Hubbard has made 26 saves (.867) with four shutouts.
NEWS & INFO
- Freshman Luca Mellor continues to lead the Panthers with six points after scoring his third goal of the season Friday, Sept. 23 at Duke.
- Venanzi (two goals) and junior Roosevelt Angulo (one goal, two assists) have four points apiece, good for second-best on the team.
- Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mikal Outcalt has appeared in all nine games and has made 40 saves.
- Pitt's 18-game regular season schedule is highlighted by four matchups against teams ranked in the top 20 of the NSCAA Preseason Poll in North Carolina, Notre Dame, Boston College and Virginia.
- The Panthers enter their fourth season as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
VIDOVICH ENTERS FIRST YEAR
- Head coach Jay Vidovich (274-126-52, 76-54-23 ACC) is in his first year at the helm of the Pitt men's soccer program.
- Vidovich, a two-time NSCAA Coach of the Year honoree, came to Pitt after spending 21 seasons at Wake Forest, which was highlighted by capturing the 2007 NCAA championship.
- Under his regime, Wake Forest won five Atlantic Coast Conference titles, compiling a 76-52-22 mark in one of the nation's most challenging leagues.
LOOKING AHEAD
- Pitt will remain in Pittsburgh for its next two games.
- The Panthers will host Saint Mary's Monday, Oct. 3 and Boston College Friday, Oct. 7. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m.
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