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Cleveland St comeback vs 10-man Pitt spoils Kizza’s hat trick

Cleveland State 4, Pitt 3

BOX SCORE | SEASON STATS | PHOTO GALLERY

Pitt’s men’s soccer team appeared on the verge of another home victory, but a resilient Cleveland State squad’s furious second half comeback stole a non-conference match, 4-3, at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Monday night.

With the loss, the Panthers drop its overall record to 6-6, (2-3 in ACC).

Once again it was Edward Kizza who took care of the scoring for Pitt, netting his second hat trick of the season.

After Kizza scored his first two goals, and with Pitt holding a 2-1 lead, Pitt defender Peter Prescott was given a straight red card in the 34th minute.

Despite playing a man down, Pitt would continue to dominate possession, doubled up the Vikings in shots (20-11 total, 10 to 8 on target) and corners (7 to 4).

“We were able to make and create opportunities until the very last second,” Jay Vidovich , Pitt’s head coach said. “We found chances all the way through and we found goals when we were a man down. We’re capable of pushing on that and scoring a man down and that’s a positive.”

Kizza’s ninth goal of the season came in the ninth minute, with a chip from the edge of the box over the Cleveland State goalkeeper after receiving a feed over the top from midfielder Jose Sena Arbona.

After Cleveland State found the equalizer in the 17th minute, Kizza was again wrecking havoc at the top of the box to connect with a header despite being sandwiched by a pair of Cleveland State defenders.

Pitt saw its lead evaporate in the second half.

In the second half, Cleveland State once again tied the game after finding the back of the net in the 67th minute. The Vikings then took their first lead of the night following a score in the 77th minute.

Trailing 3-2 in the 80th minute, again it was Kizza who provided the equalizer.

Only moments later, Pitt were exposed on a corner kick, surrendering the game winning goal in the 84th minute.

With things knotted a three apiece, Cleveland State would go on to collect the final goal of the match as an unmarked Ben Hryzsko headed in the go-ahead tally from a corner kick from Noah Pio to the far post.

With the win, Cleveland State improved its overall record to 4-5-1, but have won it’s last two matches against power five schools, Ohio State, and now Pitt.

Kizza’s now scored five goals in the past two matches.

The native of Uganda is quickly moving up the ranks of the top goal scorers in the NCAA with 11 total for the season, having scored both of Pitt’s goals in a thrilling 2-1 double overtime win against Clemson on Friday, Oct. 5 at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Kizza has now collected 11 goals on the season, tying him with Joe Luxbacher (1971) for the 10th most goals in single-season program history.

The Panthers will hit the road seeking its third league win as they face Virginia Tech in a key ACC match on Friday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. in Blacksburg, Va.

 

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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