NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament postgame: Pitt’s Jay Vidovich, Bertin Jacquesson and Jackson Walti; plus Twitter reaction

Pitt's Bertin Jacquesson: PSN File Photo

Following Pitt’s thrilling 2-1 win at No. 1 Kentucky, to advance to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament’s Elite Eight, Dan Angell was there for the post game press conference for both sides.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now has learned that Pitt will now be hosting Portland, who defeated Western Michigan in the Sweet 16, on Saturday, December 3, at 1 p.m. at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Encore Élite: Ten-Man Pitt stuns No. 1 Kentucky on late Jacquesson strike

Pitt’s Jay Vidovich, team captain Jackson Walti and Bertin Jacquesson, who scored the game-winner, provide their reaction in the video below.

Vidovich was proud of his club’s perseverance:

“I am not sure the mentality shifted that much, I think we just stuck to what we had been demonstrating the whole match, which is resiliency and sticking to a plan. They followed the plan and did it even better than what we thought. Their resiliency and fight and battle was there form the beginning. They stepped it up at that time at a huge moment and I am really proud of them.” 

Jacquesson explained his game winner:

“I think Josh [Luchini] made a good run behind, as soon as I saw that, I just followed the play. At first touch, I saw there was a guy in front of me, so I took a touch on the side and the space was open. In my mind, like last week against Akron, I don’t want to go on the foul post, I always fake so the ball goes across my body, and then it just happened. One touch, two touch, boom.”

In addition, we have reaction from Twitter, as Pitt fans rejoiced over the emphatic win which brings the Panthers one game closer to reaching the College Cup.

Post Match Press Conference with Jay Vidovich, Jackson Walti and Bertin Jacquesson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNsliT9XTMg

Kentucky Post Match Reaction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA2Vjoz0o34

Match Highlights

Twitter Reaction: Pitt’s Sweet 16 Win vs No. 1 Kentucky

https://twitter.com/RobBootay/status/1597040651186470914

The bottom line is that @Pitt_MSOC is just a powerhouse. PITT was the better team and I don't think this was an upset. Kentucky hadn't lost all year, but hadn't really played anyone, either. PITT however took on every top team they could out of conference. #H2P

— Ryan Williams (@RyanSoccerAA) November 28, 2022

KILL OR BE KILLED. #H2P pic.twitter.com/k5Zf3BZcYt

— baldwin&brooks (@awashinlight) November 28, 2022

Jay Vidovich continues to establish @Pitt_MSOC as one of college soccer’s elite programs, now advancing to the national quarterfinal for the 3rd straight season. Add another W to the growing list of huge wins for this team over the last few years.

Hail to Pitt! https://t.co/axjFjB2QRC

— Jason Earle (@JasonEarle23) November 28, 2022

Yesssssss! @Pitt_MSOC

— Randy Waldrum (@CoachWaldrum) November 28, 2022

pic.twitter.com/GlQjx7PZNm

— eggman knows ball (@eggalt1) November 28, 2022

It'll be a *big* NCAA Tournament weekend in Oakland!

We'll have @Pitt_VB hosting matches at the Pete, and @Pitt_MSOC playing at Ambrose Urbanic Field for a spot in the Men's College Cup. #H2P https://t.co/S3on405HmH

— James Santelli (parody) (@JamesSantelli) November 28, 2022

If you looked at where the Pitt MSOC and Pitt WSOC programs were 5 years ago, you would’ve never been able to predict where these programs are now.

Jay Vidovich and Randy Waldrum have built contending programs in the ACC. Elite 8 and Sweet 16, respectively. Fantastic stuff.

— Nick Farabaugh (@Nick_Farabaugh) November 28, 2022

Red card was HIGHLY questionable, but @BertinJacquess4 unleashed an absolute THUNDERBOLT to win it. Just a ridiculous WORLDY

— Andy V (@advgoalie29) November 28, 2022

This is true. Also, despite the Angell Red Card Curse, the Pittsburgh-based team has managed to win the game anyway on three out of four occasions. Figure that one out. https://t.co/dLUYuFHC4u

— Dan Angell (@danangell11) November 28, 2022

Absolute THUNDERBOLT

— Andy V (@advgoalie29) November 28, 2022

And my apologies – that was Josh Luchini (Not Mirkovic) who bright that ball down and got it to Bertin.

Tremendous hold up play by North Allegheny alum

— John Krysinsky (@JohnKrysinsky) November 28, 2022

 https://twitter.com/danyatessoccer/status/1597029742904889344?s=46&t=GNiEkWW-RhItYJVdDC9iDw

78' — Henrique Gallina is sent off, and Pitt has to survive with 10 for the remainder of regulation and possibly extra time. @pghsoccernow

— Dan Angell (@danangell11) November 28, 2022

The red in the @Pitt_MSOC game was harsh, clearly the player slipped on the field, conditions were awful. Yellow, but not a straight red. I hope and pray that the Kentucky player has a complete recovery. Congrats to Pitt for the late game goal to advance. #soccer.

— Jeremy Butler (@CoachJButt) November 28, 2022

Reading this tweet after the match pic.twitter.com/GXFPxWWt67

— The Loyal Sons (@TheLoyalSons) November 28, 2022