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FINAL: Pitt 1, Penn State 0

NCAA Men’s Soccer

FINAL: No. 15 Pitt 1, Penn State 0

Box Score

Summary

No. 15 Pitt men’s soccer team earned its first road victory of the season and its first at Penn State since 1966, with a 1-0 result at Jeffrey Field in State College on Monday night.

Intent on not surrendering an early goal on the road like they did the previous two weeks at WVU and Akron, Pitt came out on the front foot.

Staying hot was Pitt senior Rodrigo Almeida, who scored in the 6th minute with a clinical shot from the middle of the box after a terrific assist from Jasper Loeffelsend.

“I thought we did a very good job starting the match and finding the first goal,” Pitt Head Coach Jay Vidovich said.

“We were in control for most of the match. We kept the ball, pressed high and moved them but credit to Penn State who didn’t break when we got into their final third. I am very contempt with what we did and I am proud of the guys.”

The goal was Almeida’s team leading fifth of the season, while it was Loeffelsend’s sixth assist.

The Panthers remained in control throughout the first half, then early in the second half, goalkeeper Nico Campuzano made a few key saves to keep the clean sheet.

Pitt nearly made it 2-0 in the 58th minute as sophomore Filip Mirkovic struck a right foot shot to the upper left corner of the goal, missing just high. The Panthers outshot Penn State 8-3 in the second half and 16-5 for the match.

The Panthers defense held the Nittany Lions in check in the second half, allowing only three shots. Graduate student Campuzano totaled three saves for the evening, en-route to his 20th career win in goal as a Panther. He is now fourth all-time for career wins at Pitt.

Pitt saw out the victory by controlling possession for the final 20 minutes and defending superbly to keep most Penn State opportunities at a distance.

The Panthers (now 4-2 overall and 1-0 in ACC) return to conference play on Friday when they visit Wake Forest.

Postgame News & Notes: 

  • Almeida scored his fifth goal of the season. His goal total now leads the ACC after Monday evening and is tied for second in the nation.
  • Graduate student Jasper Löeffelsend tallied his fifth assist of the season. Löeffelsend leaves Penn State as the nation’s leader in assists and is tied for third all-time for career assists at Pitt with 14. The defender was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List earlier this season.

Look for a more detailed recap and reaction to follow later in the evening and on Tuesday.

Gameday Updates

Look for starting lineups to be posted here along with in-game updates.


FINAL — PITT 1, PENN STATE 0

For first time since 1966 Pitt wins at Penn State — and it’s the first road win of the season for the Panthers too.
Pitt improves to 4-2. PSU now 3-2-1.
(Goal: Rodrigo Almeida 6′)

72′ — Panthers racking up yellow cards.

Another one — this time goes to Filip Mirkovic with the professional foul. Previous one went to Brandon Clagette with foul on left edge of box that gave PSU dangerous free kick (blocked by Pitt wall)

67′ — Pitt still holding on to 1-0 lead, but completely different half. Penn St. bringing plenty of pressure. Pitt GK Nico Campuzano’s come up with a few big saves.

HALF — PITT 1, PSU 0

Pitt with decisive edges in possession, shots (8-1, 3-0 on target) and corners (5-0) in 1st half.

28′ — Yellow Card — Sito Sena  (Pitt) with the late challenge near midfield.

25′ — Pitt has really dominated the first half vs Penn State, but just one goal to show for it.

PSU absorbing crosses, bunch of corners and Pitt with plenty of possession in final third.

6′ — GOAL — PITT — Rodrigo Almeida

Preview 

Pitt and Penn State will renew its rivalry on the soccer pitch on Monday with both programs fielding strong teams.  While Pitt is coming off a College Cup appearance and ACC Coastal Division title in the 2020-21 campaign, Penn State were right at the top of the Big 10 — finishing second to Indiana both in the regular season and then in the Big 10 Tournament.

Panthers are coming off an impressive 4-0 win at home Friday night against No. 3 North Carolina.

Led by Almeida’s brace, Panthers pick apart UNC before another lively, packed house

On the road this season, it’s been a different story for Pitt.  They’ve already faced tough tests this season and have come up short losing at both West Virginia (now ranked 5th) and at No. 19 Akron. In both road games they allowed an early goal, then fought back to get the equalizer but gave up a late second half goal.

Now, the Panthers face three straight matches on the road, after Monday’s non-conference encounter with Penn State, they’ll face Wake Forest, then Clemson.

Here was Pitt’s starting lineup on Friday vs UNC. We shouldn’t expect too many changes, though Head Coach Jay Vidovich may keep some guys out that are nursing a few knocks to have them ready for the next two ACC matches.

Recent PSN Pitt Coverage

The last time they met at Jeffrey Field, in 2019, Penn State came away with the win.

FINAL: Penn State 3, Pitt 1

Pitt Game Notes 

THE SERIES – PENN STATE

–        One of Pitt’s oldest rivalries in not only men’s soccer but athletics as a whole, the Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 24-7-3.

–        The Panthers broke a nine-match winning streak from Penn State in 2017, winning 3-2 in overtime at home.

–        The Nittany Lions won the last meeting, a 3-1 decision in 2019 in University Park.

–        Head Coach Jay Vidovich is 2-2-1 all-time against Penn State and 1-2 while at Pitt.

SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS

–        Penn State enters the contest 3-1-1 overall and is receiving votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Poll.

–        The Nittany Lions have wins against Syracuse, American and Penn, a tie vs. George Mason and a loss to West Virginia.

–        Junior Andrew Privett leads the team with seven points, scoring three goals and tallying an assist. Privett has scored a goal in each of his last two games.

–        Junior goalkeeper Kris Shakes enters the match 17th in the country in total saves (17) and is 11th in the nation in saves per game (5.67).

–        The Nittany Lions are coming off a year where they finished 9-2-2 overall and 6-1-1 in the Big Ten in 2020-21, earning a spot in the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship.

PITT OPENS ACC PLAY WITH 4-0 SHUTOUT OF NORTH CAROLINA

–        The Panthers responded from the Akron loss with a big win Friday, Sept. 10 at home against No. 4 North Carolina, defeating the Tar Heels 4-0 in both teams’ ACC opener.

–        Senior Rodrigo Almeida scored twice – his first multi-goal game of his career – while Veljko Petkovic and Valentin Noel each recorded a goal.

–        Petkovic tallied two assists for his second multi-assist game of the season. Jasper Löeffelsend and Alexander Dexter also registered an assist.

PETKOVIC PRECISION

–        Junior Veljko Petkovic has flashed his offensive abilities early this season, totaling four goals and four assists, both of which lead the team.

–        The Queens, N.Y., native opened the season with two goals and two assists in Pitt’s 7-0 shutout of Duquesne.

–        He recorded his third goal of the season against Lehigh, aiding the Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the Mountain Hawks.

–        Petkovic tallied his second multi-assist game of the season with two assists at home vs. No. 4 North Carolina while also scoring his fourth goal of the season and first game-winner of the year.

–        The midfielder currently ranks 9th in school history for career points with 55 (19 goals, 17 assists).

–        He was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week Aug. 31 and earned College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week honors Sept. 1.

HOT START FOR ALMEIDA

–        Senior Rodrigo Almeida is having a career year so far in 2021, totaling four goals and a 1.000 shot percentage (6-for-6).

–        The midfielder scored a goal in Pitt’s first two home matches (Duquesne, Lehigh) before recording the first multi-goal game of his career at home vs. North Carolina.

–        Almeida is currently second on the team in points (8) and tied for first in goals (4).

HOME TURF ADVANTAGE

–        Pitt extended its home winning streak to 13 matches Friday, Sept. 10 vs. North Carolina.

–        Pitt’s last home loss came Oct. 4, 2019 against No. 20 North Carolina (2-1).

–        Head Coach Jay Vidovich is 22-15-3 at home in six plus seasons at Pitt and is 13-2-1 in the past two seasons at Ambrose Urbanic.

UP NEXT

–        The Panthers remain on the road for the second of three-straight as they take on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem Friday, Sept. 17.

–        Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on the ACCNX.

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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