Pitt
2-0-0, 0-0-0
Mercyhurst
0-1-0, 0-0-0
Pitt Remains Unbeaten; Downs Mercyhurst, 2-0
8/25/2024 10:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PITTSBURGH – Behind second half tallies from sophomore forward Albert Thorsen and senior midfielder Guilherme Feitosa, the Pitt men's soccer team earned a 2-0 victory over Mercyhurst Sunday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Sunday's win marked Pitt's (2-0, 0-0 ACC) second 2-0 start over the past three seasons. Additionally, with the victory, the Panthers improved to 6-1 all-time against Mercyhurst (0-1, 0-0 NEC).
The two sides played to a scoreless draw through the first 45 minutes of action, before Pitt broke the deadlock just over eight minutes into the second frame. In the 54th minute, junior defender Jackson Gilman played a perfect through-ball to freshman forward Lasse Dahl on the right wing, who found a streaking Thorsen in the box.
Of note, Thorsen's goal marked his second of the 2024 campaign. Thorsen has now also scored, or assisted, on three of Pitt's four goals this season.
After taking a 1-0 lead, the Panthers remained on the attack, resulting in several quality chances. At the 77:30 mark, Feitosa fired a strike towards the right post that nearly snuck past the outreached arms of the Lakers' keeper, giving Pitt a 2-0 advantage.
The Panthers' stout defense continued for the remainder of the match, as Pitt held on for its second clean sheet of the 2024 campaign.
Of note, Sunday marked Mercyhurst's first match at the NCAA Division I level.
How It Happened
- Pitt came out aggressive, controlling possession and playing on the front foot.
- The Panthers' first quality opportunity came in the eighth minute as Casper Svendby fired a shot that was saved.
- Both sides increased their physicality as the ensuing 15 minutes of action featured several fouls.
- Neither team capitalized on their chances to close the first half, as the score was knotted at zero, entering the halftime break.
- Defensively, Pitt allowed zero shots in the opening 45 minutes of play.
- Offensively, the Panthers notched four shots with one coming on goal.
- Pitt began to strategically break Mercyhurt's defensive shape to open the second half.
- Thorsen tallied his second goal of the season to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute.
- Pitt remained on the attack, firing several shots on goal.
- Feitosa increased the Panthers' advantage in the 78th minute, scoring his first goal of the season.
- Pitt's defense held on, securing its second-consecutive clean sheet to open the year.
Details of Note
- Defensively, Pitt allowed only one shot for the match.
- In goal, sophomore keeper Jack Moxom made his first-career appearance.
- Freshmen Daniel Gamboa Gonzalez and Joshua Veycheck both made their first-career appearance.
- In total, seven Panthers (Gamboa Gonzalez, Moxom, Gilman, Veycheck, Noah Hall, Mateo Stoka and Eben McIntyre) made their first appearance of the season.
- Thorsen notched his seventh-career goal and his second of the season.
- Feitosa tallied his ninth-career goal and his first of the season.
Up Next
Pitt will travel to face Penn State on Friday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the match can be streamed via B1G+.
Team Stats
Albert Thorsen (2)
Assisted By: Lasse Dahl , Jackson Gilman
GOAL by UP Thorsen, Albert Assist by Dahl, Lasse and Gilman, Jackson.
53:49
Guilherme Feitosa (1)
GOAL by UP Feitosa, Guilherme.
77:30
