Pitt Tops No. 12 NC State, 3-1

Tuesday, September 25

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7 PM

Pitt

4-4-0, 1-2-0ACC

NC State

6-2-0, 1-2-0ACC

NC State

Pitt

9/25/2018 11:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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Panthers Earn First Conference Win of Season

PITTSBURGH – Following an early deficit, the University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team reeled off three unanswered goals to earn a 3-1 victory over No. 12 NC State Tuesday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

The win was Pitt's first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) win of the season, as well as its first victory against a ranked opponent this year.

The Panthers finished the 2017 season with three wins over ranked opponents, with their most recent victory coming via a 1-0 win against then-ranked No. 7 Notre Dame Friday, Oct. 13, 2017.

Pitt's record now sits at 4-4 [1-2 ACC], with all four losses coming at the hands of ranked opponents. The loss drops the Wolfpack to 6-2 [1-2 ACC].

NC State got out to an early lead in the match, scoring a goal in the 6^th minute off a free kick, but the Panthers answered back in dramatic fashion. Pitt followed up the Wolfpack goal with a score of their own in the 20^th minute, followed by another goal in the 31^st minute. The Panthers capped of the night with a goal in the 47^th minute, giving them the 3-1 win.

"I am very proud of our guys," said head coach Jay Vidovich. "I think they showed a lot of mental strength and character, something we have been looking for all year. To come back from a goal down against a top team and then to play a man down as well, it was a tremendous exercise for us."

Following NC State's early goal, the Panthers took command of the match. In the 20^th minute, freshman Jackson Walti evened the score after corralling a deflection and sending the ball in from the middle of the box. Just over 10 minutes later, sophomore Marcony Pimentel gave Pitt a 2-1 lead after receiving a nice cross from sophomore Alexander Dexter. The Panthers closed the first 45 minutes of action with an 8-3 advantage in shots.

Pitt kept the pressure on NC State in the second half of play, with sophomore Edward Kizza netting his team-high sixth goal of the season off an assist from Dexter and Pimentel in the 47^th minute. After taking a 3-1 lead, the Panther defense would put the clamps down on any Wolfpack offensive attack, holding on for the win.

Pitt closed the match with advantages in shots (12-9) and shots on goal (6-4).

Pimentel led the team with four shots to go along with a goal and assist on the night, while Dexter followed with two shots and two assists. Kizza also contributed two shots on the night while adding his sixth goal of the season. Walti, seniors Javi Perez and Robby Dambrot and sophomore Jose Luis Sena Arbona all recorded one shot apiece, with Walti adding his first career goal.

In goal, freshman keeper Johan Penaranda collected three saves while allowing one goal in 90 minutes of action.

Up next, the Panthers will continue their homestand as they take on No. 11 Virginia Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

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