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PREVIEW: Pitt vs No. 1 Virginia, 7:05 p.m.

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

Pitt [6-5-2, 2-2-1 ACC] vs Virginia [11-0-1, 4-0-1 ACC]

Friday, October 18, 2019 | 7 p.m. | Klöckner Stadium

LIVE STREAM (ACCNX) 

LIVE STATS

Wait, haven’t Pitt’s men’s soccer team already played a top-ranked team previously this season?

Well, they’re doing it again.

When Pitt faced Wake Forest in September, the Deacons were tops in the polls, and now the Panthers now travel to take on the current top-ranked Virginia.

Such is life in the ACC.  

This will be the first time these teams have met since last year’s ACC tournament, when Pitt upset Virginia for its first-ever ACC tournament win.

Virginia’s lone blemish on its schedule came against Boston College, who Pitt beat 2-0 for its first ACC win this season.

LAST TIME OUT

·         The Panthers suffered a 3-1 loss to rival Penn State Tuesday night in State College.

·         The Nittany Lions used a late first half goal and two back-to-back goals early in the second to secure the win.

·         Junior Bryce Washington notched the lone goal for Pitt in the 84th minute.

 

THE SERIES – VIRGINIA

·         The Panthers and Cavaliers clash for the 10th time in program history Friday with Virginia leading the series, 7-1-1.

·         The two teams met twice a year ago during the regular season and postseason.

·         During the regular season, Pitt fell to then-ranked No. 11 Cavaliers, 2-0, in Pittsburgh.

·         The two teams met again in the opening round of the ACC Championship in Charlottesville. The Panthers secured a 2-0 victory over the 11th-ranked team to advance in the tournament for the first time in program history. The win was also the first over Virginia since 1982.

·         Head coach Jay Vidovich is 10-25-6 all-time versus Virginia.

 

SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS

·         Virginia enters Friday’s game 11-0-1 overall and 4-0-1 against ACC foes.

·         Virginia checks in at No. 1 in the latest United Soccer Coaches and Soccer America Polls.

·         In their last time out, the Cavaliers defeated James Madison, 1-0, Tuesday, Oct. 15.

·         Their lone tie of the season came against Boston College, 1-1, Friday, Oct. 11.

·         Sophomore forward Daryl Dike leads the squad with 12 points, scoring three goals this season with six assists. Close behind is junior Joe Bell with eight points off two goals and four assists.

·         Virginia is led by head coach George Gelnovatch, who is in his 24th season with the Cavaliers and is 317-129-57 all-time.

·         Virginia finished the 2018 season 10-4-3 overall and 3-2-2 in conference play, losing to Pitt in the first round of the ACC Tournament. The Cavaliers fell to Notre Dame in the third round of the NCAA Tournament 0-1(OT).

 

UP NEXT

·         The Panthers return to Pittsburgh Friday, Oct. 25 to host Duke at 7 p.m. for the final home game of the season.

·         Pitt concludes the regular season Friday, Nov. 1 at Notre Dame.

·         The First Round of the 2019 ACC Men’s Soccer Tournament is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 5 or Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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