Pitt loses another 1-0 road match vs ranked opponent, conceding a late PK at Louisville

Pitt loses to Louisville on the road, 1-0, after failing to convert on late penalty kick

Louisville 1, Pitt 0

BOX SCORE | SEASON STATS

From University of Pittsburgh report / Matthew Keenan 

For the third straight week, Pitt men’s soccer team lost a 1-0  match on the road to a highly ranked opponent, this time, against No. 6 Louisville Friday night at Lynn Stadium.

The loss drops Pitt to 3-4 [0-2 ACC] on the season, with all four losses coming at the hands of ranked opponents. The win improves Louisville’s record to 5-1-1 [3-0 ACC].

The two teams played each other closely throughout much of the match, but a penalty kick goal by the Cardinals in the 79^th minute ultimately gave Louisville the win.

Louisville went on the attack early, putting the Panther defense to work through the first 45 minutes of action. But Pitt stood strong, fending off five corners and four shots by Louisville to keep the Cardinals scoreless in the first half. Louisville ended the half with a 4-2 advantage in shots.

The second half of play looked much more even, with both team’s creating quality chances. Each squad traded shots through the first 32 minutes of second half action before a Louisville foul in the box gave the Panthers a huge penalty kick opportunity. Senior Javi Perez, having already scored a penalty kick goal earlier this season, took the shot for Pitt.

But, Louisville’s keeper guessed right on the attempt and made the big-time save. Just over two minutes later, a hand ball by Pitt gave the Cardinals a penalty kick opportunity of their own. Freshman keeper Johan Penaranda made a great attempt at the ball, getting a hand on it, but just couldn’t get enough of it to make the save.

???? @Jgelnovatch1 makes the save on a PK! 2 minutes later, @adamwil976 scores the game-winner on a PK!

???? Cardinals Win!!! ????

???? Full Highlights: https://t.co/C4iOiJPWi0 pic.twitter.com/3bZvrbrVZo

— Louisville Men's Soccer (@UofLmenssoccer) September 22, 2018

Louisville closed the match with advantages in shots (12-7), shots on goal (5-2) and corners (9-4).

Senior Shane Wiedt and sophomore Edward Kizza led the Panthers with two shots each, while Perez and sophomores Alexander Dexter and Marcony Pimentel added one apiece.

In goal, Penaranda recorded four saves while allowing one goal in 90 minutes of action.

Up next, the Panthers will return to Pittsburgh, Pa., for their first of five consecutive home matches as they play their rescheduled match against No. 18 NC State Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Ambrose Urbanic Field.