Pitt Drops 2OT Nailbiter to No. 2 Indiana in Season Opener

Friday, August 30

Bloomington, Ind.

8 PM

Pitt

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Indiana

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Pitt

Indiana

Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics

Pitt Drops 2OT Nailbiter to No. 2 Indiana in Season Opener

8/31/2019 12:02:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

Hoosiers Score Goal in 103rd Minute to Earn Win

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team dropped a double overtime nailbiter to No. 2 Indiana, 3-2, in its season opener Friday night at Armstrong Stadium.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead, collecting two first half goals within a minute of each other, but a second half surge by the Hoosiers capped off by a goal in the 103^rd minute led to an Indiana victory.

The Hoosiers are now undefeated in their last 27 matches at Armstrong Stadium, posting a 25-0-2 mark during that span.

"We were proud of our guys' efforts," said head coach Jay Vidovich. "We came into a place where they haven't lost in three or four years at home and we showed that we were a quality team and more than belonged there – more than belonged at the other end of the result. It was a quality effort by our guys with those goals we had at the beginning, just a fantastic start to the match. Then we had some missed opportunities, and a little bit of our immaturity let them back into the game, but that's something we can work on. But I was proud of us for showing that kind of an effort, we're going to be fine."

Both teams were scoreless through 35 minutes before junior Edward Kizza netted the first goal of the contest via an assist from junior Sito Sena, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later, Kizza connected on his second goal of the match off a corner kick from freshman Veljko Petkovic. Pitt went into the break holding a 9-3 advantage in shots and 2-1 lead in corners.

The Hoosiers turned it on in the second half of play, quickly evening the match. Indiana netted its first goal of the game in the 50^th minute before scoring the equalizer just seven minutes later. Both teams went back and forth through the rest of the half before sending the match into extra time.

Pitt registered two shots in the first overtime period while neutralizing Indiana's attack, but was unable to find the back of the net, sending the match into double overtime.

In the final overtime period, the Hoosiers used a goal in the 103^rd minute to earn the comeback victory.

Kizza led the team with five shots and two goals, while freshman Valentin Noel closed the match with four shots. Senior Braden Kline registered three shots in the matchup, while sophomore Jackson Walti added two. Sena, juniors Matt Bailey and Bryce Washington and freshman Josh Hesson each recorded one shot apiece to round out the team.

In goal, sophomore keeper Johan Penaranda collected six saves while allowing three goals in 103 minutes of action.

Up next, the Panthers will close out the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic with a match against Northwestern 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 at Armstrong Stadium.

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