Virginia Tech surges past Pitt, 3-1

Virginia Tech 3, Pitt 1

BOX SCORE | SEASON STATS

From University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech University reports / Matt Keenan 

Pitt men’s soccer team fell to Virginia Tech, 3-1, Friday night at Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Va.

The loss drops Pitt to 6-7-0 [2-4-0 ACC] on the season, with five of its losses coming at the hands of ranked opponents. The win improves the Hokies to 7-4-2 [2-3-1 ACC] on the year.

The Panthers scored the first goal of the match in the opening minute, with senior Javi Perez sending in a penalty kick following a Virginia Tech foul in the box. But, Pitt was unable to continue its offensive success following the early goal, and ultimately fell to the Hokies by a score of 3-1.

Following Perez’s early PK goal, Virginia Tech got on the board less than a minute later following a Pitt own goal. The Hokies sent in a cross from the left side of the box, but the ball ended up finding the foot of senior Shane Wiedt and reaching the back of the net following the incidental contact.

From there, the two team’s looked even through the first half of action, with Pitt holding a slight 6-5 advantage in shots and 2-1 advantage in shots on goal at the break.

In the second half, Virginia Tech used a PK from David Sanz to take a 2-1 lead in the 48^th minute.

Just over a minute later, the Hokies tacked on their third score of the night following a goal from the right side of the box. The Panthers were unable to answer the two quick strikes by Virginia Tech, and ultimately suffered the 3-1 defeat.

Check out this goal by David Sanz which gave us a two-goal cushion in the 50th minute ???? pic.twitter.com/xw5CBAbdIY

— Virginia Tech Men’s Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) October 13, 2018

Perez led the team with five shots on the night, followed by redshirt senior Robby Dambrot and sophomore Edward Kizza with two shots each. Sophomore Jose Luis Sena Arbona and freshmen Rodrigo Almeida and Jackson Walti each added one shot apiece in the match.

In goal, freshman keeper Johan Penaranda started the game for the Panthers, where he allowed one goal during his 45 minutes of action. Freshman Alexander Steinbach then subbed in for Penaranda to start the second half, collecting four saves while surrendering two goals.

Up next, the Panthers will return home as they host Temple Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Ambrose Urbanic Field.