Thorsen Nets Game-Winner in 98th Minute to Send Panthers to NCAA Quarterfinals

Sunday, December 1

Pittsburgh, PA

5 PM

Pitt

14-5-0, 6-2-0

Kansas City

14-5-3, 5-2-1

Kansas City

Pitt

Thorsen Nets Game-Winner in 98th Minute to Send Panthers to NCAA Quarterfinals

12/1/2024 8:54:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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PITTSBURGH – Sophomore forward Albert Thorsen scored the game-winning goal in the 98^th minute as Pitt secured its fourth NCAA Quarterfinal appearance in the past five seasons with a 3-2 win over Kansas City Sunday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Casper Grening netted a first half goal to help erase an early one-goal deficit and Arnau Vilamitjana scored for the second consecutive match as Pitt improved to 14-5-0 on the season. Vilamitjana along with Niklas Sorensen assists on Thorsen's game-winner.

The Panthers dominated the run of play throughout the contest 65 percent of the possession in the game. Much of Pitt's time on the ball came on the attacking end of the field and resulted in a 22-5 shot advantage.

Kansas City got an early goal from Gabriele Galluccio in the sixth minute and erased a 2-1 Pitt lead with a set piece goal less than five minutes after Pitt had taken the lead in the second half. Julien Le Bourdoulous recorded assists on both goals for the Roos who concluded the season with a 14-5-3 record, while making their first NCAA Tournament.

FIRST HALF ACTION

Kansas City struck first with a goal less than six minutes into play as Le Bourdoulous chipped in a ball to Elie Kisoka at the top of the box. Kisoka set Galluccio who slipped a low ball by a pair of Pitt defenders and past a diving Cabral Carter into the left corner of the net.
Pitt found the equalizer in the 15^th minute as Grening followed up a deflected cross attempt by Thorsen and blasted home the loose ball near the right edge of the goal area for his sixth goal of the season.
Thorsen added a dangerous opportunity in the 26th minute with a right-footed strike from the right wing that forced a diving save by the Kansas City keeper Brandon McGaugh with Luis Sahmkow bearing down on the deflection across the box. Pitt played it short on the ensuing corner and Kansas City was able to clear a delayed cross to stymie the scoring threat.
Pitt dominated possession throughout the half with 62 percent of the possession with 67 percent of its possession coming in the offensive end of the field.

SECOND HALF ACTION

Pitt generated the first opportunity in the second half with three consecutive corners in the 56^th minute but Felipe Mercado had a shot blocked away for a corner before a second attempt off the final corner went high.
Guilherme Feitosa had a quick turn and strike at the top of the box in the 60^th minute but McGaugh made a nice save on the play.
Lasse Dahl nearly found a sliding Sahmkow on the back post in the 61^st minute with a diagonal thru ball from the right wing but the pass slide just past his cleats and out for a goal kick.
Pitt continued to press the goal in the 63^rd minute as a nice series of passes led to an open Dahl on the right wing. His strike from 15 yards out deflected over a sliding Kansas City defender before McGaugh dove in behind defender to knock the ball out for a corner with his elbow.
The Panthers grabbed a 2-1in the 70^th minute as Feitosa sent a strike on frame forcing a punch save by McAugh. Vilamitjana gathered the deflection at the top of the box and ripped a two-touch half volley into the upper left 90 of the net.
Carter made a big play just after the ensuing kickoff as Jeremy Francou slipped behind the Pitt defense. The Panther keeper charged out of the box and used his body to deflect the shot attempt.
Kansas City took advantage of a corner in the 74^th minute as Brevyn Cole delivered a nice flick header to the back post off the feed from Le Bourdoulous for a 2-2 tie.
Vilamitijana had a half-volley attempt in the 78^th minute off a centering cross by Grening that sailed high and wide of goal.
Thorsen had a header in the 83^rd minute bound off the crossbar and down with a follow attempt from Svendby striking two Kansas City defenders before being cleared away.
Pitt nearly ended the game in regulation as Svendby found Sahmkow free on goal and he knocked the pass home with one second remaining. Upon review the goal was waved off by an offside call.

OVERTIME

Kansas City had an offside call early in the overtime period at the 92:17 mark.
Feitosa had a shot from the left edge of the box blocked out for a corner in the 94^th minute but the Panthers were unable to generate a scoring opportunity.
Pitt took advantage of a restart off a Kansas City foul in the 98^th minute. Niklas Sorensen played Vilamitjana in the midfield and the Girona, Spain native quickly threaded a thru ball between two defenders to Thorsen on a well-time run towards the right post. The sophomore forward took a soft touch and held off a defender before beating the Kansas City goalie low side into the left side of the net from 15-yards out.

NCAA UNDER JAY

Pitt is now 12-4-1 under head coach Jay Vidovich in NCAA Tournament play, including a 7-1 mark at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The Panthers have now advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in four of the past five seasons.

BACK ON THE ATTACK

Pitt posted its first multi-goal match since a 4-1 win over Virginia on Oct. 25. The Panthers have scored two or more goals in a match 13 times this season.

UP NEXT

The Panthers will host the winner of Sunday night's match between San Diego and Vermont. Game time will be announced on Monday.