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Number One! Pitt ascends to the top of United Soccer Coaches poll for first time in program history

Photo Courtesy Pitt Athletics

On the heels of a 4-0 start, capped by an exciting 3-2 overtime win at Virginia, the University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team is now the top-ranked team in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll.

Since the inaugural United Soccer Coaches Poll was released in 1996, this is the first time in program history the Panthers are ranked first.

United Soccer Coaches Poll Week 5 complete rankings

 

FINAL: Pitt 3, UVA 2 (OT)

This is the first time a Pitt athletic team has been ranked number one in the country since the men’s basketball team achieved it February 28, 2009. The volleyball team came close last season when they were ranked as high as #2 in the country.

he Panthers began the season ranked fourth in the country on Sept. 22. After defeating No. 5 Notre Dame 3-1 on the road, Pitt climbed to No. 2 in the Sept. 29 poll and held that spot for three weeks.

Last weekend, Pitt defeated No. 5 Virginia, 3-2, in overtime for its second top-five victory of the season. The victory in Charlottesville, Va., was the third win in a row at Klöckner Stadium, dating back to 2018.

PITT TEAMS RANKED NUMBER ONE

Men’s Basketball

–          2008-09

o   Week 8 – January 5, 2009

o   Week 9 – January 12, 2009

o   Week 15 – February 23, 2009

Football

–          1937

o   Week 4 – November 8

o   Week 5 – November 15

o   Week 6 – November 22

o   Week 7 – Final AP Poll

–          1938

o   Week 1 – October 17

o   Week 2 – October 24

o   Week 3 – October 31

–          1939

o   Week 1 – October 16

–          1976

o   Week 10 – November 9

o   Week 11 – November 16

o   Week 12 – November 23

o   Week 13 – November 30

o   Week 14 – Final AP Poll

–          1981

o   Week 10 – November 2

o   Week 11 – November 9

o   Week 12 – November 16

o   Week 13 – November 23

–          1982

o   Week 1 – Preseason AP Poll

o   Week 2 – September 6

o   Week 9 – October 25

o   Week 10 – November 1

Men’s Soccer

–          2020

o   Poll 5 – October 20, 2020

Noel Named ACC Offensive Player of the Week

Sophomore midfielder Valentin Noel was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Atlantic Coast Conference today for his performance at No. 5 Virginia Sunday night.

The Niort, France, native scored twice against the Cavaliers, both in the first half in the Panthers 3-2 overtime victory. It was the second multi-score game of his career, the first coming Oct. 10 at home against Virginia Tech.

Noel is tied for second in the nation in goals scored with four, a mark that is also tied for first in the ACC. His nine points is also tied for second in the country and tied for first in the league. The Frenchman is tied for first in the nation in points per game (3.00) and leads the country in goals per game with 1.33.

Noel is the fourth Panther to be named ACC Player of the Week this season. Freshman Bertin Jacquesson and sophomore Arturo Ordoñez were named co-offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, on Sept. 28, while sophomore Veljko Petkovic was named offensive player of the week on Oct. 12.

Noel & Ordoñez Make TopDrawerSoccer Team of Week

Noel, who was recently named ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, scored twice against the Cavaliers, his second multi-score game of his career. Noel is tied for second in the nation in goals scored with four, a mark that is also tied for first in the ACC. His nine points is also tied for second in the country and tied for first in the league. The Frenchman is tied for first in the nation in points per game (3.00) and leads the country in goals per game with 1.33.

Ordoñez scored his first career goal in game-winning fashion, heading it into the upper right corner off a corner kick cross from classmate Raphaël Crivello in the 93rd minute. The victory over the Cavaliers was the second top-five win for the Panthers this season and third straight win over Virginia.

The TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week nod is the second this season for Noel, who received the honorable mention on Oct. 13. The recognition is the first for Ordoñez this year.

Next Up

Pitt heads to Louisville Friday, Oct. 23 for an ACC matchup beginning at 7 PM on the ACCNX. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals, 5-0, in an exhibition earlier this season on Sept. 19.

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

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