Noel’s Golden Goal Lifts Pitt Over Virginia Tech in ACC Quarterfinal

Sunday, November 7

Pittsburgh, Pa.

4 PM

Pitt

11-4-1, 5-2-1

Virginia Tech

10-5-3, 3-4-1

Virginia Tech

Pitt

Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics

Noel’s Golden Goal Lifts Pitt Over Virginia Tech in ACC Quarterfinal

11/7/2021 9:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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PITTSBURGH – Junior Valentin Noel's 103^rd minute double-overtime goal lifted the No. 1 seed Pitt men's soccer team over No. 8 seed Virginia Tech, 2-1, Sunday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

NEWS & NOTES

Pitt improved to 11-4-1 overall and advanced to the ACC Semifinal round for the third-straight season. The Panthers will host No. 5 seed Notre Dame Wednesday, Nov. 10 at either 5 or 7 p.m. on the ACC Network.
The victory at home extended an ACC best 19-match home winning streak. The Panthers entered the match with the second longest unbeaten streak in the nation.
Noel scored both of Pitt's goals, the fifth multi-score game of his career. Jacquesson tallied two assists while graduate student's Matt Bailey and Jasper Löeffelsend each had one.
The Panthers recorded a season-high 21 shots and six corner kicks, while graduate student goalkeeper Nico Campuzano had three saves.

"I'm very happy for our guys tonight," said head coach Jay Vidovich. "I thought we did a good job controlling the game with chances throughout the match. Hats off to Virginia Tech who stayed strong and kept us very honest. To have the fans behind us was a big bonus and a great atmosphere for college soccer."

Pitt's offense got off to a quick start, connecting with the back of the net on the first shot attempt by either team. Noel took a pass from left to right from Bailey who one-touched it inside the box from eight yards out for the goal.

Virginia Tech (10-5-3) answered less than five minutes later as Jacob Labovitz assisted Kyle McDowell for the equalizer. The Panthers kept pressure inside the box, as Hokie goalkeeper Ben Martino stopped two would be goals and the score remained the same at halftime.

Pitt outshot Virginia Tech 8-4 in the first half while both teams had three corner kicks.

The Panthers dominated the offensive end in the second half, outshooting Virginia Tech 11-2 with three corner kicks to their name. The Hokie defense kept it tied, as Martino registered five saves in the second half to help force overtime.

After no shots were taken in the first nine minutes and 30 seconds of the first overtime, senior Jackson Walti fired one last attempt toward goal to try and win the game. Walti's 30-yard strike bended toward the upper right 90 of the goal, only for Martino to stretch out and make a diving stop at the buzzer to force a second overtime.

Pitt again pressured the ball into the attacking third of Virginia Tech, as Löeffelsend dribbled up toward the opposing 18-yard box. The defender gave a through ball to Jacquesson, who took a dribble and crossed it from right to left toward the back post for Noel, who one-touched it in. It was the second double-overtime victory for the Panthers this season (Syracuse Oct. 1) and fourth double-overtime game overall.

The Panthers ended the night with 21 shots to Virginia Tech's six and also led in corners 6-4.

No. 1 seed Pitt remains at home and will host five-seed Notre Dame Wednesday, Nov. 10 at either 5 or 7 p.m. Live coverage can be found on the ACC Network.