Pitt Falls to No. 5 North Carolina in Double OT, 2-1

Saturday, September 8

Durham, N.C.

7 PM

Pitt

1-3

North Carolina

4-1

OT 3

OT 4

Pitt

North Carolina

Photo by: Pete Madia/Pitt Athletics

Pitt Falls to No. 5 North Carolina in Double OT, 2-1

9/8/2018 10:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score Season Stats

Tar Heels Score Goal in 109th Minute to Earn Win

DURHAM, N.C. – The University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team lost 2-1 in double overtime to No. 5 North Carolina Saturday night at Koskinen Stadium.

The loss drops Pitt to 1-3 on the season, with all three losses coming at the hands of ranked opponents. The win moves the Tar Heels to 4-1 on the year.

North Carolina finished the match with advantages in shots (11-7), shots on goal (5-4) and corners (11-5).

Pitt got out to an early lead in the contest, but goals in the 73^rd and 109^th minute by the Tar Heels ultimately led to a UNC victory in what was a hard fought battle.

"I'm proud of the effort of the guys," said head coach Jay Vidovich. "I think they worked very hard. I think the game could have gone differently. Once again, a decisive moment and a decisive decision cost us. But, we're starting to understand the requirements of playing in the ACC. So, our progress is tremendous. If the guys are willing to work and fight and battle like that we're going to be just fine."

Sophomore Edward Kizza put Pitt on the board early, scoring his fourth goal of the season in the 13^th minute off a feed from redshirt senior Robby Dambrot. The rest of the half proved to be a defensive stalemate, with the Panthers unable to get off a shot following Kizza's goal, and the Tar Heels only notching two shots of their own.

The tempo picked up in the second half, with UNC attempting seven shots and Pitt recording four. In the 73^rd minute, North Carolina's Mauricio Pineda evened the score off an assist by John Nelson. The Panthers had opportunities to regain their lead late in regulation, drawing two corners and rattling off two shots in the final minutes, but were unable to capitalize.

Neither team could get much going in the first overtime period, with Pitt recording just one shot while shutting out the UNC offense.

It wasn't until the 109^th minute of the match that the fifth-ranked Tar Heels ultimately prevailed, with Milo Garvanian scoring on a header off a cross from Nils Bruening to earn the victory.

Kizza finished the match with a team-high three shots and one goal, while Dambrot added a shot and assist. Senior Javi Perez, sophomore Marcony Pimentel and freshman Alec Townsend also recorded one shot apiece in the match.

In goal, freshman keeper Johan Penaranda recorded three saves while allowing two goals.

Up next, the Panthers will close their road stretch after traveling to Richmond, Va., to face VCU Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at SportsBackers Stadium.

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