Connect with us

College Soccer

Kizza’s hat trick leads Pitt men in 6-1 romp of Delaware

PITT 6, DELAWARE 1

Box Score 

Edward Kizza had a breakout freshman campaign in 2017, scoring four goals and three assists and made an impact in several key games.

The Panthers forward from Uganda, by way of Monteverde Academy in Florida, is off to a good start in 2018.

Kizza racked up his first career hat trick in leading the Panthers (1-1) to its first win of the 2018 season in a 6-1 rout of Delaware on Monday.

“I’m proud of the concentration our team brought to the match,” Jay Vidovich, Pitt’s Head coach said. “We are growing as a team. Our relationships on both sides of the ball are improving, as is our willingness to work for each other. We created some tremendous team goals that lead me to believe that we have a lot of potential in front of us.”

Pitt didn’t waste anytime jumping ahead of Delaware, as Kizza scored in the second minute of the match with clinical finish from a ball sent into the goal box from Alexander Dexter.

Kizza’s goal opened the floodgates to a five goal outburst in the first half — as Javi Perez converted a penalty kick in the eighth minute, redshirt senior Robby Dambrot added a goal in the 27th minute, Kizza’s second on a header that bounced downward and into goal from a perfectly placed lofting cross from freshman left back Chandler Vaughn, and the Panthers rounded out the first half scoring as Nyk Sessock set up Fiorre Mane. 

Kizza completed the hat trick in the 58th minute, banging home a loose ball in the box.

 

Delaware would go on to record its first goal of the game at the 55:39 mark in the second half, but Pitt would quickly answer back after Kizza finished off his hat trick less than a minute later, giving the Panthers a 6-1 lead and the eventual win.

In goal, freshman Johan Penaranda got the starting nod, recording a save while allowing one goal in more than 67 minutes of play. Redshirt junior Jacob Rooth closed the game for Pitt, recording a save in his 22 minutes of action.

As a team, the Panthers led the Blue Hens in shots (10-4) and shots on goal (9-3) while Delaware finished the match with a 4-0 advantage in corners.

Up next, Pitt will travel to Akron, Ohio, to face the fourth-ranked Zips Saturday, Sept. 1 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 College Soccer