Pitt Defeats NC State, 2-1, Advances to Semifinals

Sunday, November 10

Pittsburgh, Pa.

3 p.m.

Pitt

9-6-2, 4-3-1ACC

NC State

9-6-3, 3-4-1ACC

NC State

Pitt

Pitt Defeats NC State, 2-1, Advances to Semifinals

11/10/2019 6:32:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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Panthers Advance to Semifinals for First Time in Program History

PITTSBURGH – For the first time in program history, the University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team has advanced to the semifinal round of the ACC Men's Soccer Championship after defeating NC State, 2-1, in the quarterfinal Sunday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

With the win, the fourth-seeded Panthers improve to 9-6-3 overall while the fifth-seeded Wolfpack move to 9-6-3 and are eliminated from the tournament.

Junior Edward Kizza was Pitt's goal scorer in the postseason game, recording goals in the 13^th and 94^th minutes.

"We had a tremendous start to the match," said head coach Jay Vidovich. "We had some quick counters and we were finding some joy in that. We had a goal called back when they had to go to the TV to see if went in or not. So, great start to the game, and then I think we kind of faulted out a little bit. We just tried to hang on in the half and I think that continued in the second half. Overtime, I couldn't have asked anything more of the guys from their heart and mentality, to tactically what they did. It was just fantastic. I'm just really happy for the guys."

Pitt finished the match with an advantage in shots (11-7) and corner kicks (7-3).

The Panthers played a solid first half, registering five shots and a goal to lead entering the half. Pitt outshot NC State, 5-0. Kizza got Pitt on the board in the 13^th minute after receiving a pass from junior Alexander Dexter. Dexter was racing down the left side and dished it to Kizza who was crashing on the right. Kizza buried the goal for the lead.

The Wolfpack then dominated the second half, outshooting Pitt, 7-5. NC State's George Asomani found the back of the net in the 54^th minute with a strike from the top of the keeper's box to even the match.

Neither team would be able to score through the remainder of regulation and forced overtime.

The duo of Dexter and Kizza only needed 3:42 to find the golden goal to lift the Panthers to victory. Similar to the first half, Dexter passed to Kizza from the left side. Kizza finished near the left goal post for his 11^th score of the season.

With the win, Pitt advances to the semifinals of the 2019 ACC Men's Soccer Tournament. The Panthers will face the winner of No. 8 Notre Dame vs. No. 1 Clemson at 7:10 p.m. Sunday night. The semifinal match will take place at the higher seeded campus Wednesday, Nov. 13 with the time being announced at a later date. The match will air live on the ACC Network.

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