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Kizza’s brace leads Pitt to upset of Virginia, first-ever ACC playoff win

File photo - University of Pittsburgh Athletic Dept

from ACC / University of Virginia / University of Pittsburgh reports

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Pitt men’s soccer team was close all season to picking up a signature win, but kept coming up short against top-ranked opponents.

On Wednesday, the Panthers finally came through with a monumental victory — its first-ever win in ACC postseason play — by beating Virginia, 2-0.

Edward Kizza showed why he was the ACC’s leading scorer this season, picking up his 14th and 15th goals of the season.

The sophomore forward scored both goals for Pitt in the 62nd and 79th minutes in what was a pretty evenly played match to that point.

Kizza broke the scoreless tied in the 62nd minute when he beat Virginia goalkeeper Colin Shutler to the near post. A little over 17 minutes later, Kizza gave Pittsburgh a two-goal advantage when he punched in a rebound from close range off an Alexander Dexter shot.
“It was a fantastic performance by the guys,” said head coach Jay Vidovich. “I’m very proud of the effort they gave. They fought when they had to, they defended when they had to and they played whenever they could. Kizza came up big with two goals and our bench came up big with supporting the play. Overall, it was a fantastic result and a big step for Pitt soccer to come in to a storied program like Virginia and to get a result in tournament play. Obviously the first time in tournament play for the program – first time in the ACC – so a fantastic step in our progress.”

Virginia was not without opportunities in the contest, outshooting Pittsburgh 9-8 with two chances on ending up on target. In the opening minutes, Irakoze Donasiyano had his close range shot plunge into the chest of Panther goalkeeper Johan Penaranda. The Cavaliers produced five of the game’s first seven shots.

Donasiyano was also the recipient of a brilliant header by Daryl Dike in the midfield that created a 1v1 opportunity in the 52nd minute. Donasiyano’s chip attempt over a charging Penaranda went just wide.

Penaranda finished the night with two saves and recorded his third shutout of the year. The Panthers went on to create six shots over the final 45 minutes, compared to four from the Cavaliers.

Pittsburgh advances to play Duke in Durham, N.C. on Sunday (Nov. 4) in the ACC quarterfinal.

Additional Notes

• The two goals by Pittsburgh were the first ever in ACC postseason play.
• The Panthers recorded their first victory over Virginia in eight previous meetings.
• Virginia, ranked fourth in both the NCAA RPI and the most recent NCAA selection committee rankings, will await its postseason fate during the NCAA selection show on Monday, Nov. 12.

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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