Connect with us

Uncategorized

Penn St Has Its Way In Beating Pitt, 1-0  


The Pitt and Penn State men’s soccer teams hadn’t played each other in more than 20 years until Tuesday night as Penn State beat Pitt, 1-0, on Tuesday night at Jeffrey Field in non-conference action.
The win ended a three-game losing streak for the Nittany Lions who dominated possession and had its way most of the match.  Pitt held on despite facing an onslaught of pressure, and lost yet another close game where they could not muster enough in the attack. 
Penn State (5-6-1) kept coming at the Panthers (2-9-2) defense, taking 22 shots, which was its most since Oct. 13, 2015 when it took 20 shots at West Virginia. Furthermore, the Nittany Lions put 13 shots on goal, 12 of which starting keeper Mikal Outcalt saved to keep it a one-goal match. 
The Penn State defense kept Pitt to just one shot in the entire 90 minutes of play which is the least amount of shots given up to an opponent since it gave up five shots to Northwestern, Nov. 1, 2015. 
The Nittany Lions’ lone goal of the match came in the 41st minute. PSU’s Dayonn Harris received a lead pass up the field and chipped the ball over Outcalt as he came attacking out of the cage. With an open net, Harris buried the ball in the lower left corner.

 
In the 66th minute, Outcalt denied Harris with a diving penalty kick save to keep the Panthers in the contest.  
The Blue and White now carry a 23-6-3 all-time advantage over Pitt and have won nine-straight matches against the Panthers. 
Furthermore, Penn State has not lost to Pittsburgh since the 1978 season when it fell 2-0 on the road.
Both teams return to conference play on Saturday.  Penn State will be at home against Michigan State while the Panthers continue action on the road as they travel to Raleigh, N.C., to take on ACC-foe NC State.  Both games are at 7 p.m.
 

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

Subscribe to PGH Soccer Now

Enter your email address to subscribe to PGH Soccer Now and receive notifications of new posts by email.

More in Uncategorized