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FINAL: Pitt 1, Duquesne 0

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics
NCAA Men’s Soccer

FINAL: Pitt 1, Duquesne 0

Ambrose Urbanic Field

GAME STATS 

Match Recap

In the opening match of the spring season for both teams, Pitt’s Bryce Washington penalty kick conversion was the difference in edging a Duquesne squad who provided a tough challenge in the City Game at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Saturday afternoon.

In the Panthers’ 1-0 victory, Nico Campuzano earned his first clean sheet of the season as the Panthers improve their overall record to 8-1.

The Panthers out shot the Dukes (9-4, 5-1 on target) and held the possession edge throughout the match.  However, the Dukes had their moments to find the equalizer and didn’t back down, playing in a well-fortified 5-2-3 alignment which gave Pitt trouble with connecting passes, particularly in the final third.  The Dukes did their best to slow down the dangerous Pitt attack, conceding 14 fouls.

A couple of those fouls cost Duquesne in the 36th minute.

First, Ryan Goodhew’s physical challenge set up a Panther free kick from close range.  On the ensuing free kick, Duquesne’s keeper, Domenic Nascimben came off his line and was called for a foul in the box.

This set up the Panthers’ senior defender, Washington, with a golden opportunity on the penalty kick.  Washington calmly directed his attempt to the lower left side of goal, beating Nascimben for the lead.

In the 68th minute, Jordy Lopez’s hard challenge, which knocked down Pitt’s Seto Sena, resulted in his second yellow card and being sent off, leaving the Dukes to play the remainder of the match down a man.

The Panthers lost two starters during the match, Jasper Loeffelsend and Matt Bailey, to injury.

Both teams will return to action against conference opponents on the road in the coming weeks, as Duquesne travels to St. Bonaventure in two weeks for its Atlantic 10 opener, while Pitt will take on North Carolina on Friday.

Gameday Updates 

FINAL – PITT 1, DUQUESNE 0
88′ –  Sena chips one back in after free kick comes out to edge of box. It’s saved by Nascimben,
85′ – Not the best performance in the final third for Pitt today. Lots of possession & been trying to sneak some balls over the top but that’s not working either. Credit to Duquesne for staying pretty organized. Dukes still have a fighting chance to get the equalizer.
75′ – Pitt playing with Dexter and Mort on the wings — with Petkovic and Noel holding the high line — and Walti and Sena in the central MF. They’ve struggled at times to connect passes. Dukes have been tough to penetrate. Panthers with 8 shots (4 on target)
68′ – RED CARD (actually second yellow card) for Duquesne’s Jordy Lopez — as he’ll be sent off. Seto Sena was injured on the challenge.
Pitt now playing up a man.

59′ – Ball played in to far post by Noel — and it’s headed just over bar by Bryce Washington.

52′ – Playing out of 5-2-3, Duquesne’s been building things up nicely. Former Central Valley/Riverhounds Academy standout Jack Shearer unleashes a shot attempt from the edge of box, but Pitt’s Nico Campuzano is there for the stop.
Clagette and Mort are still in there for Pitt — so hopefully Bailey and Loeffelsend don’t have significant injuries.

Duquesne looking to stay organized in 5-2-3 formation.

HALF – PITT 1, DUQ 0

The Panthers have been limited to two corners and two free kicks with the Dukes staying pretty organized. The Panthers hold the slight edge in shots (4-3, 2-0 on target) and they’ve had more possession but Duquense has asserted themselves well with a few advances and shots inside the box.

38′ – Great save Campuzano! Duquesne bringing the pressure!

36′ – GOAL – PITT 1, DUQ 0

Senior defender Bryce Washington converts the PK to give the Panthers the 1-0 lead..
35′ – Another Pitt free kick comes after Duquesne foul on Ryan Goodhew who’s also assessed with a yellow card. Free kick is cleared away. but PENALTY in box!

28′ – first corner of match for Pitt.  It’s sent into crowd and then feeble shot attempt gathered by Duq’s Nascimben.

Logan Muck holding his own against Alexander Dexter — but Dexter forces the poke away for corner.

19′ – Former Shaler/Arsenal standout Ryan Landry gets into the left side of the box for the Dukes, but his shot misses.

16′ – PITT substitution: Clagette, Brandon for Loeffelsend, Jasper.  This is the collegiate debut for Brandon Clagette

15′ – DUQ substitution: Goodhew, Ryan for Tzabari, Tom.

11′ – PITT gets free kick. Petkovic takes it but easily handled by Nascimben.

2′ – in early going Valentin Noel shaken up. Comes off for brief bit, but he returns

3:55 — Pitt’s starters

GK – Campuzano

D – Loeffelsend, Crivello, Washington, Ordonez

MF – Petkovic, Sena, Bailey, Walti

F – Noel, Dexter

Duquesne starters:

1 (GK) Nascimben

2 – Borjas

4 -Benintendi

6- Tzabari 7 – Shearer

12- Akinjogbin

13- Alabayeros

17 -Landry

21 – Newman

23 – Dragisich

29 – Muck

At this time, no fans or media will be allowed inside Ambrose Urbanic Field, however, we plan to provide in-game updates and commentary here on this gameday blog.

Look for line-ups to be posted here at approximately 3:55 p.m.

Preview

Finally, it appears, both Pitt and Duquesne men’s soccer teams will open the much anticipated and unprecedented Spring season on Saturday afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

This is the first time in the history of both programs, they will be playing a regular-season game in any month other than August, September, October or November.

Pitt has the advantage of coming off a successful Fall season in which they were ranked as the top team in the nation for five weeks and played in the ACC Championship game, both program firsts under the tutelage of Jay Vidovich.  They’re looking to build on the success from the Fall, as they hope to make a deep run into the NCAA tournament which will be held in April, with Valentin Noel leading the team and the nation, with eight goals carrying over from the Fall season.

First things first, the Panthers will face crosstown foe Duquesne, before embarking on a six-game ACC schedule.

Head Coach Chase Brooks’ Dukes roster has a lot of new faces with a few key returning players, including two seniors (Ryan Landry and Jack Shearer).  Duquesne will also follow this match with a six-game stretch against three Atlantic 10 opponents in a home-and-home series.

“We know they’ll have an advantage, having played in the Fall,” Brooks said on Thursday. “We are excited to be on the precipice of finally playing a game. This will be a big test for us right from the start of the season.”

This is the first regular-season meeting between the Dukes and Panthers since Sept. 16, 2012. Pitt leads the series 7-0-2, including a 4-0-1 record at home.

Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m. on the ACCNX.

Recent PSN Coverage of Pitt & Duquesne

Starting Over Slightly: Brooks, Duquesne men’s soccer thrilled to get Spring season going

National Championship Aspirations: Pitt seniors excited to take care of ‘unfinished business’ this spring

Pitt took another step forward with impressive Fall campaign, but there’s more work to do

Taking a closer look at No. 1 ranked Pitt: Midfielders

Taking a closer look at No. 1 Pitt men’s soccer: Defenders / Goalkeepers

Taking a closer look at No. 1 ranked Pitt: Forwards

 


Pitt Game Notes 

 

A HISTORIC FALL SEASON

–          While Pitt finished as ACC Champion runner-ups, the 2020 fall season was nothing short of a historic season filled with record breaking performances and milestones.

–          The Panthers’ 7-0 start to the season was the best start to a season in program history.

–          Pitt’s appearance in the ACC Championship game was the first in school history.

–          Sophomore Valentin Noel broke a school record with four consecutive games played with a goal. Noel’s streak is still alive, as he currently sits at six-straight games played with a goal.

–          Senior Alexander Dexter tallied an assist against Duke in the ACC Championship Quarterfinal and is now second all-time in career assists with 15.

–          The Panthers earned the No. 1 ranking in the country Oct. 20 for the first time in program history. Men’s soccer joins football and men’s basketball as the only Pitt athletics teams to earn the No. 1 spot in their respective polls.

–          Pitt’s 4-0 record in the ACC is tied for most ACC wins in a season. Pitt went 4-3-1 in league play last year.

THE SERIES – DUQUESNE

–          The Panthers and Dukes meet for the 10th time in program history Saturday and for the first time since 2012.

–          Separated by just 1.6 miles, men’s soccer marks the second time this athletic season (2020-21) a Pitt team will go head-to-head with Duquesne. Diving faced the Dukes in a dual-meet Jan. 23 and women’s soccer will play Duquesne March 7 at home at 1 PM.

–          The Panthers first contest against the Dukes came in 1996, a 1-0 victory for Pitt. Pitt leads the all-time series 7-0-2, with the two ties coming in 1998 and 2008, both 0-0 outcomes.

SCOUTING THE DUKES

–          Saturday’s meeting will be the first official contest for Duquesne since a road contest at Davidson Nov. 2, 2019.

–          The Dukes finished 8-8-1 overall and 3-5 in Atlantic-10 play in 2019.

–          Sophomore midfielder Nate Dragisich returns after earning All A-10 Rookie honors in 2019. Dragisich totaled nine points in 17 games played with two goals, five assists, 28 shots and 10 shots on goal.

–          Senior Jack Shearer looks to captain the forward position, as he tallied 10 points with five goals, 27 shots and 15 shots on goal last season.

THE FIRST NOEL

–          Sophomore Valentin Noel finished the fall as one of the best goal scorers in the country, leading the Panther offense in goals, points, shots and shots on goal.

–          The Niort, France, native finished first in the country in goals per game (1.14) and tied for first in total goals (8). He also ended the fall in the top-five in multiple categories, including game-winning goals (T-2nd – 2), points per game (2nd – 2.57), shot accuracy (2nd – .700), shots on goal per game (2nd – 2.00) and total points (2nd – 18).

–          On Nov. 15 vs. Duke, Noel set a school record for consecutive games played with a goal at four. The streak continues at six games after his second half score against Clemson in the ACC Championship Final Nov. 22.

TOP SCORING OFFENSE

–          The Panthers finished the fall season with the number one scoring offense in the country at 2.88 goals per contest.

–          Pitt scored three or more goals in six of its eight games and has scored four goals in two contests.

–          The Panthers are also the top ranked team in points per game with a 9.00 mark, 1.83 points higher than second-place Kentucky. Pitt also finished the fall campaign first in total assists (26) and total points (72).

–          Pitt is second in the nation in shot accuracy at .544, a number that is also best in the ACC.

–          In just eight games, Pitt has totaled 26 assists as a team. In 2019, the Panthers registered 29 assists in 20 games played.

UP NEXT

–          Pitt travels to Chapel Hill, N.C., and opens up spring ACC play Friday, March 5.

–          Game time is set for 7 p.m. with ACCNX broadcasting the match.


Duquesne Game Notes 

Duquesne is 12-10-3 all-time in season openers, including a 2-6-2 mark when opening on the road. DU is 4-1-2 in opening games under eighth-year head coach Chase Brooks (1-1-1 on the road).

Due to COVID-19 protocols, no fans will be permitted at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

THE SPRING SEASON

  • This is the lone nonconference match for the Dukes, who will play an abbreviated six-game Atlantic 10 schedule beginning on March 13 at St. Bonaventure.
  • DU will face the Bonnies, Dayton and Saint Louis twice as part of the West Division of the A-10. Davidson, George Washington, George Mason and VCU comprise the Central and Fordham, La Salle, UMass, Rhode Island and Saint Joseph’s will compete in the North.
  • The three divisional champions, plus one at-large team will compete for the Atlantic 10 Championship, which will be played on the campus of the highest seed on April 15 & 17.

THE SERIES VS. PITT

  • This is the first regular-season meeting between the Dukes and Panthers since Sept. 16, 2012.
  • Pitt leads the series 7-0-2, including a 4-0-1 record at home.
  • The last three matches between the two have been a 0-0 tie at Duquesne (2008), a 1-0 Pitt win at home in 2011 and a 2-1 Pitt victory at Duquesne in 2012.

VS. RANKED TEAMS
(polls for the spring have yet to be released, Pitt was #2 in the Nov. 24 United Soccer Coaches Poll)

  • Duquesne is 1-3-1 all time vs. ranked teams.
  • The Dukes defeated #23 Rhode Island in their last game against a ranked opponent on Oct. 20, 2018 on Rooney Field.
  • Head coach Chase Brooks is 1-2 vs. ranked teams at Duquesne (3-2 home loss to #12 Oregon State on Sept. 11, 2015 and a 1-0 loss at #17 Kentucky on Sept. 30, 2016).
  • This is Duquesne’s first game vs. a Power 5 school since the Kentucky game in 2016.

QUICK HITS

  • Duquesne is in its eighth season under head coach Chase Brooks. Brooks has led the Dukes to three Atlantic 10 Conference tournament appearances (2013, 2015 & 2016).
  • The Dukes return three field players who started 10 or more games for last season’s 8-8-1 team: senior F Jack Shearer (17/16), junior, D Kendall Newman (12/10) and sophomore M/F /Nate Dragisich (17/16), a member of the 2019 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. In addition, grad student D/M Ryan Landry, who has played in 45 games with 39 starts, but missed last year due to injury and junior D Eric Zech, who started 16 games as a freshman, but was limited to five games last year due to injury, are also back.
  • In all, DU returns just seven players from last year’s roster and nine players with DU experience including Landry and Zech.
  • Second-year transfer Shearer leads all returnees in career games with 52 (35 at St. John’s) and career starts with 42 (26 at SJU). Landry (45 games) and Newman (27 games) are the only other returnees who have played in more than 21 games.
  • Shearer leads all returnees with eight career goals (team-high five at Duquesne last season). Nate Dragisich (2 goals), Ryan Landry (2 goals) and Eric Zech (1 goal) are the only other returnees who have scored in a DU uniform.
  • The Dukes have 19 first-year players on the 2020 roster including 13 freshmen (one redshirt) and six transfers in junior F Ade Akinjogbin (Wofford), sophomore M Rodrigo Albayeros (Florida Atlantic), sophomore D Jacob Benintendi (Xavier), junior D Jaime Borjas Rey (Graceland U.), junior M Logan Muck (Evansville) and sophomore D Torge Wittenborg (Ottawa University-Arizona).
  • Junior Domenic Nascimben is expected to start the season in net. Nascimben, a native of Sydney, Australia, saw action in one game last season. He has played in six career games (425 career minutes) with four starts.
  • Duquesne has produced the ninth-most Men’s Soccer Academic All-Americas over the past 20 years.
  • DU has been recognized by the United Soccer Coaches for its outstanding academic performance with a Team Academic Award (minimum 3.0 team GPA) 18 times in the past 21 years. No other Atlantic 10 men’s soccer program has been recognized more than Duquesne since the award was instituted in 1996.
  • Duquesne produced at least one Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team member in six of the past seven years.

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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