University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Cal
No. 1 Pitt Set to Host Cal in Key ACC Matchup
10/10/2024 4:17:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PITTSBURGH – Searching for three pivotal points in a tight battle for the ACC regular season title, the No. 1-ranked Pitt men's soccer team will square off with Cal Friday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the match can be streamed via ACCNX.
Need to Know - Game 12
No. 1 Pitt (10-1-0, 4-0-0 ACC) vs. Cal (3-5-2, 0-3-2 ACC)
Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 - 7 PM - ACCNX
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Ambrose Urbanic Field
Fan/Ticket Information
Single-match tickets for the 2024 campaign can be purchased in advance HERE for $10 each. Tickets on match day will be sold at the Petersen Sports Complex ticket office for $12 each. Discounted group sale tickets are available for groups of 15+.
The Opening Kick
Welcome to the League
Friday will mark the first-ever meeting between the Panthers and the Golden Bears.
Leading the Nation
As a team, Pitt ranks first nationally in goals against average (.545) and goal differential (24). The Panthers have also won seven-consecutive matches, marking the nation's longest winning streak.
Feitosa and Dahl's Dimes
Senior midfielder Guilherme Feitosa and freshman forward Lasse Dahl are currently tied for the team lead with five assists this season. Of note, both players rank 29th nationally.
Exceeding Expectations
Pitt is in sole possession of first place in the ACC with just four league matches remaining. Coming into the season, the Panthers were picked to finish ninth in the league.
Scouting the Golden Bears
- Cal has compiled a 3-5-2 record this season, including an 0-3-2 mark in ACC play.
- The Golden Bears are coming off a come-from-behind 3-3 draw with Louisville.
- Forward Arik Duncan leads Cal in points and goals. He is also tied with forwards Nonso Adimabua and Malcolm Zalayet for the team high in assists with two.
- Of note, Adimabua and Zalayet are tied for second on the team in points with six.
- Goalkeeper Marco Brougher ranks in the top 10 in the ACC in several categories, including saves per game (2nd, 3.40), saves (3rd, 34), shutouts (tied for 6th, 2), save percentage (7th, 0.723) and goals-against average (10th, 1.36).
Series History
- Friday will mark the first-ever meeting between Pitt and Cal.
- Head coach Jay Vidovich has never beaten the Golden Bears, owning an 0-2-0 ledger.
Last Time Out
Pitt knocked off previously unbeaten Denver, 2-0, Monday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The Panthers extended the nation's longest winning streak to seven, while handing Denver its first loss of the season. Additionally, Monday marked Pitt's highest ranked win since the Panthers defeated then-No. 2 Georgetown, 2-1, to open the 2022 campaign.
Defensively, Pitt limited Denver to a season-low five shots, while joining Portland and UCLA as the lone teams to register a clean sheet against the Pioneers.
As a unit, Pitt attempted 13 shots – marking the most Denver had allowed since Nov. 9, 2023 against Kansas City. The Panthers also became only the second team to tally multiple goals against the Pioneers in their last eight matches.
After both sides came out playing a strategic brand of soccer for much of the first half, Pitt finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute as senior midfielder Michael Sullivan maneuvered through Denver's back line, before firing a strike past the outreached arms of the keeper.
The goal marked Sullivan's first of the season and the sixth of his career.
After taking a 1-0 lead into the halftime break, Pitt came out aggressively in the second half, playing on the front foot. The Panthers then used a blend of progression and possession to wear down the Pioneers' defense, resulting in a 51st minute strike from senior forward Casper Grening.
Despite pressure from Denver's attacking players, Pitt's back line held on to secure the clean sheet, earning its sixth of the season and its fourth in the last five matches.
Panthers in the Polls
|
|
United Soccer Coaches |
TopDrawerSoccer |
NCAA RPI |
|
Preseason |
Unranked |
Unranked |
- |
|
Week 1 |
No. 3 |
No. 10 |
- |
|
Week 2 |
No. 8 |
No. 12 |
- |
|
Week 3 |
No. 7 |
No. 6 |
- |
|
Week 4 |
No. 2 |
No. 5 |
- |
|
Week 5 |
No. 1 |
No. 3 |
No. 1 |
|
Week 6 |
No. 1 |
No. 3 |
No. 1 |
|
Week 7 |
No. 1 |
No. 2 |
No. 1 |
Up Next
The Panthers will have a quick turnaround, facing High Point on Monday evening. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the match can be streamed via ACCNX.
