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Pitt 3, Akron 3, Final

NCAA Men’s Soccer

FINAL:  Pitt 3, Akron 3 

Match Stats HERE

Match Summary

No. 10 Pitt Panthers overcame an early 2-0 deficit, took the lead in the second half, but ended up settling for a 3-3 draw against No. 14 Akron in a wild, back-and-forth match on Monday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

The Panthers needed a pair of goals just 90 seconds apart from Mohammad Abualnadi and Filip Mirkovic to equalize the match in final minute of the first half.

Freshman Noah Hall came off the bench to ignite the Pitt attack, and was rewarded by finishing off a Mirkovic cross with a pinpoint header to give Pitt a 3-2 lead.

 

Look for a more detailed recap to follow including post match reaction from Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Match Day Updates

Look for match updates including starting lineups and game highlights to be posted here.

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PSN’s Pitt Coverage 

FINAL: Pitt 3, N.C. State 0

Preview and Game Notes 

THE SERIES – AKRON

SCOUTING THE ZIPS

  • Akron comes into Monday’s match with a 4-1-1 overall recrod after drawing #22 Ohio State, 3-3, last time out. The Zips are ranked No. 14 in the latest United Soccer Coaches National Top-25 Poll.
  • The Zips have one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country as they are averaging 3.0 goals per game through six matches. Leading the way offensively is Jason Skokalook who has netted four goals, two assists and 10 points while collecting 11 shots.
  • Johnny Fitzgerald and Dyson Clapier rank second on the team with six points each while Josef Paulus leads the squad with three assists on the year.
  • In goal, Mitch Budler has started all six matches and owns 1.67 goals-against average while notching one cleansheet.

VIDOVICH BECOMES FIRST ACC MEN’S SOCCER COACH TO RECORD 100 ACC WINS

  • The Panthers have become one of the most respected and successful programs in the country over the last couple years thanks to head coach Jay Vidovich and his staff.
  • He has posted a career coaching record of 334-172-58 (.644). His 334 career coaching wins are 13th among active D1 head coaches.
  • With the win over NC State Friday night, Vidovich became the first head coach in ACC history to collect 100 regular season conference wins. He currently owns a 100-76-26 (.559) record in ACC matches.
  • Vidovich is one of the most decorated coaches in the NCAA as he earned one national title (2007, Wake Forest) while earning two NSCAA National Coach of the Year awards (2007, 2008) and seven ACC Coach of the Year awards (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2020, 2021).

FACING RANKED OPPONENTS

  • The Panthers are no stranger to nationally ranked opponents. Akron will be the fourth ranked opponent Pitt has faced this season after they opened the year with three straight ranked foes for the first time in program history.
  • Pitt opened the season with back-to-back wins over top-10 programs for the first time in program history as they downed No. 2 Georgetown 2-1 and No. 6 West Virginia 3-0.
  • Pitt is 4-0-1 against top-5 opponents over the last two seasons as they downed Georgetown (No. 2), Clemson (No. 2), Duke (No. 3) and North Carolina (No. 4) during the regular season and tied Notre Dame (No. 4) in the Elite Eight last season.
  • Overall, Pitt is 6-1-1 against nationally ranked foes over the last two seasons.
  • Over the last three seasons, Pitt owns a 10-4-1 record against ranked opponents.

VAN DER SAR EXTENDS SHUTOUT STREAK TO 334 MINUTES

  • After serving as the backup goalkeeper for the Panthers last season, senior goalkeeper Joe van der Sar had made a nice transition into the starting role for Pitt.
  • van der Sar has been on top of his game of late as he hasn’t allowed a goal in 334 consecutive minutes. The last goal he allowed came in the first half of the Panthers road game at No. 11 Marshall on Sept. 2.
  • Last time out, van der Sar was asked to make just one stop as the Panthers defense has allowed just five shots on goal across the 334 minute shutout streak for van der Sar.
  • The talented keeper has started all six games for the Panthers this season as he owns a 5-1 record and a 0.50 goals against average, a .833 save percentage and four shutouts.
  • van der Sar is tied for the ACC lead in shutouts (4) while ranking third in goals-against average (0.50) and save percentage (.833).
  • After making his first career start in the win over No. 2 Georgetown, van der Sar has notched shutouts of West Virginia, Howard, North Carolina and NC State.

LET ME ASSIST YOU

  • A major strength of the Panthers over the past couple seasons has been the way they distribute the ball.
  • So far this season, Pitt has 15 assists on 15 goals. The 15 total assists is currently tied for 29th in the NCAA while their 2.50 assists per game is tied for 27th in the NCAA.
  • Last season, Pitt led the NCAA in assists (63) and assists per game (3.15), both of which marked program records.
  • Over the last three seasons, Pitt leads the NCAA in total assists with 122 helpers.

NCAA Total Assist Leaders (Last 3 Seasons)
1. Pitt 122
2. Wake Forest 107
3. Campbell 104
4. Clemson 99
5. Washington 98

UP NEXT

  • No. 10 Pitt hits the road Friday night for a conference showdown against Louisville. The Panthers and Cardinals will square off at 8pm on ACC Network.
  • The Cardinals own the 5-1 record against Pitt all-time but the Panthers won the last meeting between the two squads in 2020 by the score of 4-1.
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