FINAL: Northwestern 1, Pitt 0, (at IU Classic)

Edward Kizza scored twice in 3-2 OT loss vs Indiana on Friday - Photo credit: Pitt athletics

FINAL:  Pitt (0-1-0) vs Northwestern (0-1-0)

Game Summary

Pitt’s men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 contest to Northwestern in its final match of the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic Sunday night at Armstrong Stadium, as the Panthers now begin the season 0-2 after losing on Friday to Indiana in a 3-2 overtime thriller.

On Sunday, the Panthers closed the match with advantages in shots (15-10), shots on goal (8-4) and corners (8-4), but an early strike by Northwestern in the 3^rdminute of play led to a Wildcat victory.

Northwestern went on the attack early, netting the first and only score of the game out of a goal kick in the third minute of the match.

Pitt would go on to control much of the possession in the first half of play, heading into the break with a 6-5 advantage in shots and 5-2 lead in corners, but was unable to find the back of the net.

The second half of action saw back-and-forth play from both squads, with neither team registering a goal. The Panthers were able to generate some quality looks on goal, but were fended off each time by Northwestern’s keeper, who finished the match with seven saves. 

Junior Matt Bailey and freshman Veljko Petkovic led the team with four shots apiece, followed by junior Edward Kizza with three. Junior Sito Sena closed the match with two shots, while sophomore Rodrigo Almeida and freshman Josh Hesson each added one apiece.

In goal, sophomore keeper Alexander Steinbach recorded three saves while allowing one goal in 90 minutes of action.

Up next, the Panthers will head back to Pittsburgh for their home opener against Liberty 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

PREVIEW

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN | 5 p.m.

LIve Stream: Available here (with BTN subscription).

Live stats: here.

After wild one at Armstrong Stadium on Friday night, when Pittsburgh men’s soccer team dropped a double overtime nailbiter to No. 2 Indiana, 3-2, in its season opener Friday night at Armstrong Stadium, the Panthers will look to bounce back on Sunday, taking on another Big 10 opponent, Northwestern.

Both sides will be looking for its first wins of the season.

Northwestern also opened the season at the IU Classic on Friday, pushing UCLA to the limit and outshooting the Bruins 17 to 14, but the Wildcats eventually fell in overtime too, 1-0.

One other note of local interest, former Fox Chapel and Kiski Prep standout, Max Silberg, is a junior at Northwestern. Silberg made two appearances for the Wildcats last year.

One more look back at Friday’s thriller 

It was an electric atmosphere on Friday night as Pitt did its best to quiet the opening night crowd in the Hoosier State, but the home side came charging back for a season opening win.

FINAL: Indiana 3, Pitt 2 (OT)

Both teams were scoreless through 35 minutes before junior Edward Kizza netted the first goal of the contest via an assist from junior Sito Sena, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later, Kizza connected on his second goal of the match off a corner kick from freshman Veljko Petkovic. Pitt went into the break holding a 9-3 advantage in shots and 2-1 lead in corners.

Here’s a look at both of Kizza’s goals.

.@Pitt_MSOC Edward Kizza is making big plays against #2 Indiana with these two goals! pic.twitter.com/VbhZC9oqdv

— BTN Student U (@BTNStudentU) August 31, 2019

The Hoosiers turned it on in the second half of play, quickly evening the match. Indiana netted its first goal of the game in the 50^th minute before scoring the equalizer just seven minutes later. Both teams went back and forth through the rest of the half before sending the match into extra time.

Pitt registered two shots in the first overtime period while neutralizing Indiana’s attack, but was unable to find the back of the net, sending the match into double overtime.

In the final overtime period, the Hoosiers used a goal in the 103^rd minute to earn the comeback victory.

Kizza led the team with five shots and two goals, while freshman Valentin Noel closed the match with four shots. Senior Braden Kline registered three shots in the matchup, while sophomore Jackson Walti added two. Sena, juniors Matt Bailey and Bryce Washington and freshman Josh Hesson each recorded one shot apiece to round out the team.

In goal, sophomore keeper Johan Penaranda collected six saves while allowing three goals in 103 minutes of action.