Friday, September 6
Pittsburgh, Pa.
7:30 PM
Pitt
1-2-0, 0-0-0
3
vs
0
Liberty
1-2-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Liberty
0
0
0
Pitt
2
1
3
Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics
Pitt Tops Liberty in Home Opener
9/7/2019 12:08:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Panthers Earn 3-0 Win over Flames in First Home Match of Season
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team picked up a 3-0 victory over Liberty in its home opener Friday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
The Panthers opened the scoring quickly, with junior Edward Kizza heading in a cross from junior Matt Bailey in the third minute to give Pitt the early 1-0 lead. Goals from freshman Veljko Petkovic in the 31st minute and freshman Josh Hesson in the 82nd minute would then lead to the 3-0 victory.
"I saw the quick strike and I really liked how we got into the goal on that one," said head coach Jay Vidovich. "Then the one that got called back right after that, once again it was just a great action to goal and that's what we wanted. I think after that we faltered slightly, we struggled a little bit in the half trying to find ourselves there, but the goals that we scored I think were really quality soccer actions."
It took no time for the Panthers to find their offense, with Kizza's header from Bailey's cross opening things up in the third minute. Petkovic then put the score at 2-0 in the 31st minute, scorching a free kick over the keeper's head from near midfield. Pitt would head into the break with a 7-2 lead in shots and 2-1 advantage in corners.
The Panthers continued to attack in the second half, recording 15 shots in the final 45 minutes of play, but weren't able to find the back of the net until Hesson sent in a ball from the left of the box to make it 3-0 in the 82nd minute and give Pitt the eventual win.
Hesson closed the match with a team-high five shots, while Bailey added four. Kizza and Petkovic each collected three shots, with redshirt sophomore Chad Stout and sophomore Rodrigo Almeida both recording two in the contest. Senior Braden Kline, junior Alexander Dexter and redshirt sophomore Tim Townsend each added a shot apiece in the matchup.
In goal, sophomore keeper Alexander Steinbach recorded the clean sheet while collecting a save in 90 minutes of action.
Up next, the Panthers will continue their homestand with a match against Delaware 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9 at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The Panthers opened the scoring quickly, with junior Edward Kizza heading in a cross from junior Matt Bailey in the third minute to give Pitt the early 1-0 lead. Goals from freshman Veljko Petkovic in the 31st minute and freshman Josh Hesson in the 82nd minute would then lead to the 3-0 victory.
"I saw the quick strike and I really liked how we got into the goal on that one," said head coach Jay Vidovich. "Then the one that got called back right after that, once again it was just a great action to goal and that's what we wanted. I think after that we faltered slightly, we struggled a little bit in the half trying to find ourselves there, but the goals that we scored I think were really quality soccer actions."
It took no time for the Panthers to find their offense, with Kizza's header from Bailey's cross opening things up in the third minute. Petkovic then put the score at 2-0 in the 31st minute, scorching a free kick over the keeper's head from near midfield. Pitt would head into the break with a 7-2 lead in shots and 2-1 advantage in corners.
The Panthers continued to attack in the second half, recording 15 shots in the final 45 minutes of play, but weren't able to find the back of the net until Hesson sent in a ball from the left of the box to make it 3-0 in the 82nd minute and give Pitt the eventual win.
Hesson closed the match with a team-high five shots, while Bailey added four. Kizza and Petkovic each collected three shots, with redshirt sophomore Chad Stout and sophomore Rodrigo Almeida both recording two in the contest. Senior Braden Kline, junior Alexander Dexter and redshirt sophomore Tim Townsend each added a shot apiece in the matchup.
In goal, sophomore keeper Alexander Steinbach recorded the clean sheet while collecting a save in 90 minutes of action.
Up next, the Panthers will continue their homestand with a match against Delaware 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9 at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Team Stats
LIBERTY
UP
Goals
0
3
Shots
8
22
Shots on Goal
1
10
Saves
7
1
Corners
2
8
Fouls
10
15
Scoring Plays
Edward Kizza (3)
Assisted By: Matt Bailey
header off of cross from left of box
2:01
Veljko Petkovic (1)
Goal off of free kick
30:36
Josh Hesson (1)
goal from left of the box
81:00
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
5
SOG
4
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerPitt Men's Soccer | Vermont Postgame | Jay Vidovich
Thursday, December 12
Postgame vs. Vermont | Jay Vidovich
Saturday, December 07
Pitt Men's Soccer | Pitt 3, Kansas City 2 | Field Pass
Tuesday, December 03
Field Pass | Pitt 3, Kansas City 2 | NCAA Third Round
Tuesday, December 03