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Pitt earns No. 2 overall seed in NCAA tournament

Despite a setback on Saturday evening, losing 2-0 to Clemson in the ACC’s Automatic Qualifying match for the NCAA Tournament, Pitt men’s soccer team were rewarded for its impressive 2020-21 campaign, receiving the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship during Monday’s parings announcement.

The Panthers will play the winner of Bowling Green (7-4-1) and Monmouth (5-2-1) Sunday, May 2 in Greensboro, N.C., in the second round.

The 2020 Division I Men’s Soccer Championship will be held in Cary, N.C., and the surrounding Cary area. Pitt’s second round matchup will be held at Bryan Park in Greensboro, N.C. Sunday, May 2 with a time to be determined.

For the full NCAA tournament bracket, click here.

Here’s a closer look at Pitt’s side of the bracket.  With Washington, the runner-up in the PAC-10, the next highest seed (No. 7 seed).

The Panthers earned an at-large bid, their second in as many years. The NCAA berth is the fourth in school history and first back-to-back appearance (1962, 1965, 2019).

Pitt finished 13-3 overall and 9-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play for the year. The Panthers went 6-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play this spring. With its 5-0 victory over Virginia April 8, Pitt clinched the ACC Coastal Division title for the first time in school history.

Third round action will be played Thursday, May 6 and the quarterfinals Monday, May 10. Both rounds will be held at WakeMed Field in Cary, N.C.

The 2020 College Cup, which features the four semifinal teams, will be held at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The semifinals will be played Friday, May 14 at 6 p.m./8:30 p.m. and the championship match Monday, May 17 at 8 p.m. (All times Eastern standard time).

Pitt ended the regular season with one of the best scoring offenses in the country.

The Panthers averaged 2.38 goals per game, good for first in the ACC and ninth in the country. Pitt, who earned a trip to the ACC Championship Final for the first time in program history in November, tallied a number of All-Conference awards including Offensive Player of the Year (Valentin Noel), Defensive Player of the Year (Jasper Löeffelsend), Freshman Player of the Year (Bertin Jacquesson) and Coach of the Year (Jay Vidovich).

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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