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Kizza delivers golden game winner for Pitt in 2OT

Photo courtesy Pitt athletics

FINAL: Pitt 3, Denver 2, 2OT

BOX SCORE

From University of Pittsburgh athletic department report

Pitt’s men’s soccer team earned a 3-2 victory over Denver in double overtime Monday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 4-3-2 on the year, while the Pioneers drop to 1-6-2.

Three different Pitt players netted goals in the non-conference clash, but it was junior Edward Kizza that scored the golden goal to lift the Panthers to victory.

“Certainly a game winner is something you strive for,” said head coach Jay Vidovich on Kizza’s goal. “I think the big thing is his reward is that he picked up his work load at a time when he was very fatigued, so hopefully he learned from that and he will continue pushing his game a little bit.”

After what nearly was almost a scoreless opening frame, Denver struck first in the 42nd minute. UD’s Destan Norman sent a ball into the box from the right side that was tipped by redshirt junior Arie Ammann in goal. As Ammann was diving, Kengo Ohira one-timed the rebound for the first goal of the night.

The Panthers bounced back early on in the second half as freshman Valentin Noel netted the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Senior Sito Sena sent a long ball into the box from the left side perfectly into the middle where Noel buried the ball into the left side of the net.

Sena then had a goal of his own in the 57th minute off a corner kick to give Pitt a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Nyk Sessock took the corner and passed it in to Kizza, who then found Sena at the top of the keeper’s box. Sena used his left foot to send a laser past the Denver goalie for the lead and his third goal of the year.

In the 70th minute, the Pioneers would even the score once again off the foot of Stefan DeLeone.

Neither team would be able to score in the final 10 minutes of play, forcing overtime.

After a goalless first overtime, Kizza sealed the deal with the game winner in the 108th minute of action. Noel received a long pass from midfield and headed it to Kizza in transition who beat a Pioneer defender, drew the keeper out and chipped it up over him for the win.

The goal was Kizza’s fifth of the year.

The Panthers outshot Denver 15-11 and had an 8-5 advantage in corners.

In goal, Ammann made five saves and allowed two goals.

 

UP NEXT

Pitt hosts ACC foe North Carolina Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the Petersen Sports Complex.

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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