Panthers Host Mercyhurst Sunday to Conclude Opening Weekend

PITTSBURGH – Following a season-opening shutout against a nationally-ranked foe, the Pitt men's soccer team will return to action Sunday evening, hosting Mercyhurst at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed via ACC Network Extra.

    Need to Know - Game 2
    Pitt (1-0-0) vs. Mercyhurst (0-0-0)
    Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 - 7 PM - ACCNX
    Pittsburgh, Pa. – Ambrose Urbanic Field

Fan/Ticket Information
Single-match tickets for the 2024 campaign can be purchased 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+.

Season tickets to see all eight remaining home matches at Ambrose Urbanic Field are also still available for $50 each. Purchase season tickets HERE.

Scouting the Lakers

Mercyhurst will make its NCAA Division I debut Sunday.
The Lakers finished the 2023 campaign 14-3-1 and reached the quarterfinals of the PSAC Tournament at the division II level.
Returning for the Lakers this season is All-PSAC First Team selection and division II all-american Dylan Sumner.
Sumner led the Lakers in goals with 14, while notching 31 points a season ago.
Also returning for the Lakers is graduate student and All-PSAC First Team selection Ignacio Gallego and senior Frank Lovett.

Series History

Sunday will mark the seventh between the Panthers and the Lakers, as Pitt owns a 5-1 ledger all-time.
Over the last three matches, Pitt has outscored Mercyhurst 10-0.
Sunday will mark the first meeting between the two sides since 1985.

Last Time Out
Behind goals from sophomore forward Albert Thorsen and senior forward Luis Sahmkow, Pitt defeated No. 16 Georgetown, 2-0, Thursday evening in front of a sellout crowd at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

With the victory, the Panthers remained unbeaten in season-openers since 2020. Additionally, Thursday's win marked Pitt's second win over Georgetown over the past three seasons.

Pitt jumped out to a 1-0 lead Thursday in the 27th minute as senior forward Casper Grening crossed a ball from the left wing into Thorsen, who headed home his first goal of the season.

The Panthers then extended their advantage in the 78th minute as Sahmkow dribbled past several Georgetown defenders and fired a strike from just inside the box past the outreached arms of the goalkeeper.

Pitt used a blend of progression and possession to close out the contest, securing its ninth win against a ranked opponent over the past three seasons. Of note, the Panthers improved to 31-5-7 at home since 2020 with Thursday's victory.

Key Players to Watch

Guilherme Feitosa - Captain
- Career Accolades
  - 2021 All-ACC Freshman Team
  - 2021 College Soccer News All-Freshman Second Team
  - 2021 TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Top 100 List (No. 28)
  - ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week - Oct. 12, 2021
Jackson Gilman - Captain
- Career Accolades
  - 2023 Third Team All-ACC
  - 2023 TopDrawerSoccer Midseason top 100 list (No. 16)=
  - 2023 TopDrawerSoccer Preseason top 100 List (No. 46)
  - 2022 ACC All-Freshman Team
  - 2022 College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team
  - 2022 TopDrawerSoccer Freshmen Best XI First Team
  - 2022 TopDrawerSoccer Freshmen Postseason Top 100 List (No. 10)
Albert Thorsen
- Scored a goal and tallied an assist in the season-opener against Georgetown
- Career Accolades
  - 2023 ACC All-Freshman Team
  - 2023 TopDrawerSoccer Freshmen Postseason top 100 list (No. 43)
  - 2023 TopDrawerSoccer Freshmen Midseason top 100 list (No. 11)
Luis Sahmkow
- Notched a goal in the 78th minute against Georgetown
- Tallied a team high six goals, while notching an impressive .500 SOG% last season

Feitosa Tabbed to ACC Preseason Watch List
Following a solid 2023 campaign, Feitosa was named to the 2024 ACC Preseason Watch List, as announced by the league office, becoming one of only 15 players across the conference to garner the accolade.

Feitosa, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has enjoyed a decorated career since arriving in Pittsburgh, making 47 appearances, while tallying 28 points. A 2021 All-ACC Freshman Team selection, Feitosa has garnered numerous honors, including three-consecutive All-ACC Academic Team selections.

    Career Highlights
    2023 All-ACC Academic Team
    2022 All-ACC Academic Team
    2021 All-ACC Freshman Team
    2021 All-ACC Academic Team
    2021 College Soccer News All-Freshman Second Team
    2021 TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Top 100 List (No. 28)
    ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week - Oct. 12, 2021

During the 2023 season, Feitosa led the Panthers in shots (28) and shots on goal (14), while ranking second on the team in assists (three) and sixth in points (seven). Of note, his two goals a year ago ranks second amongst all returning players.

Newcomers in the Mix
Highlighted by the mid-year additions of Indiana transfer Logan Oliver, Dayton transfer Casper Svendby and Kentucky transfer Casper Grening, Pitt welcomes 13 newcomers entering the 2024 season.