Reports from Pitt, Duquesne and Robert Morris athletic departments
Only one of the local Division I college teams started league play thus far, but it was still a pretty busy weekend for the local teams.
Here’s a snapshot look at how they did.
“I THINK WE SERVED NOTICE THAT WE’RE AN ACC TEAM”
The Pitt men began ACC play with a competitive clash against nationally ranked North Carolina, and came up short, 2-1.
Freshman Edward Kizza tied the match at 1-1 in the 31st minutes, as senior Pol Planellas sent Kizza a long ball from midfield into the box and poked it right past the UNC keeper. The Panthers would concede a goal in the 55th minute, but head coach Jay Vidovich feels they’re on track.
“I’m proud of the guys, we did a tremendous job today,” head coach Jay Vidovich said. “We posed our game on a fantastic team. I think we served notice that we’re an ACC team. I’m happy with that and I’m very proud of the fact that were in it until the very last second of the match.”
The Panthers resume action Saturday, Sept. 16 when they make the trip to Winston-Salem, N.C., to take Vidovich’s former team, No. 2 Wake Forest at 7 p.m.
I’ll get my first look at Pitt in person, on Tuesday, September 19, when they host Robert Morris in a non-conference match at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
PITT WOMEN LOSE 3-0 AT NO. 22 NEBRASKA
There weren’t as many positives to take away for Pitt’s women’s team in its 3-0 loss at Nebraska on Sunday.
Three first half goals were enough for 22nd-ranked Nebraska lifting the home team to victory, Nebraska scored back-to-back goals in the 14th and 15th minutes to jump out to a 2-0 lead and extended its lead to 3-0 with the game’s final goal in the 33rd minute.
For Pitt (3-3-2), redshirt freshman Amaia Pena made her first collegiate start in goal, allowing three goals and recording six saves. Offensively, forward Taylor Pryce recorded a pair of shots, both on goal.
Pitt wraps up a three-game road trip, opening ACC play at Wake Forest Sept. 15.
The Panthers return home Sept. 21 to host Virginia Tech.
DUKES BATTLE SETON HALL TO 1-1 DRAW
Linnea Faccenda set up freshman Lauren Bell for the game-tying goal in the 58th minute as Duquesne and Seton Hall battled to a 1-1 draw on Rooney Field on Sunday afternoon.
For Bell, Hermitage native and Beadling standout, it was her second of the season
The Dukes outshot the Pirates 12-2, and pressing in overtime, Katie O’Connor‘s shot with 6:34 left in the second overtime hit the post. SHU keeper Anna MacLean made 10 saves, while Duquesne keeper Kyra Murphy made three.
The Dukes (3-2-1) have a pair of road games next week in Northeast Ohio, first at Akron on Friday, then at Youngstown State on Sunday before starting Atlantic 10 action Thursday, September 21 at LaSalle.
DUQUESNE MEN FALL TO BUCKNELL ON THE ROAD, 2-0
The Dukes were limited to six shots – three in each half – by the Bison defense.
With the loss, Duquesne now drops to 1-3 on the season, all games have been non-conference encounters.
RMU TEAMS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE
Robert Morris (2-5-0) started off strong with a 7-3 difference in attempts over the opening 45 minutes, but couldn’t come away with the contest’s first goal.
The Colonials will resume play on Friday at Bowling Green.