NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup: Pitt-Indiana semifinal rematch set for Friday at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Pitt punched its ticket to a second NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup appearance in the past three years by shaking off a pesky Portland side, 1-0, in Extra Time.

The Last Noel: Extra time goal and lots of fortitude sends Pitt to second College Cup berth in three seasons

And once again, the Panthers (12-4-5) will be facing the same team they faced in May 2021, as they’ll be taking on Indiana (13-4-6), as the Hoosiers defeated UNC-Greensboro, 2-0, to reach the Final Four for the 22nd time in its program history, and the seventh under Head Coach Todd Yeagley.

It’s a fascinating rematch, as both programs hits some bumps in their respective roads through the regular season, with four losses each before turning things up a notch in the NCAA Tournament.

Pitt’s leading goal scorer, Valentin Noel, who notched the game-winner on Saturday, is one of only few remaining Panthers who were part of the 2020-21 team, will look to lean on his experience, but recognizes that this year’s team and this second match-up vs Indiana in 2022, now 18 months and two seasons later are poles apart.

“It’s very different. If you look at the roster, there’s a lot of different players. And the dynamic is different. It’s a totally different run, approach.  We are ready to bring that experience.  How it felt to be there. Especially to lose there,” Noel pointed out after Pitt’s quarterfinal win vs Portland on Saturday.

“It’s a matter of bringing that experience to the young guys and the new guys, to get a result there.”

The match will be the second of the two semifinal matches on Friday evening at WakeMed Park in Cary, NC, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m.  Fellow ACC members Syracuse will take on Creighton in the first semifinal match at 6 p.m.

The Panthers were back at training on Monday morning, as they get ready to take on the Hoosiers, who battled their way to the Final Four as the No. 13 overall seed.

Pitt Head Coach Jay Vidovich met with the media on Monday. Look for more on that from Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s Dominic Campbell.

For those fans and students traveling to North Carolina, here’s some additional information and the schedule below for the festivities for each match day, as there will be a Fan Fest beginning at 4:30 p.m. on both Friday, the day of the National Semifinals and Monday, the day of the National Championship game.

All matches will be televised on ESPNU and streaming on Watch ESPN.

Look for coverage of the College Cup all week leading up to the National Semfinal. Pittsburgh Soccer Now’s Dominic Campbell will be in North Carolina for the semifinal match.  

NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup Schedule 

WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary NC 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9
4:30 p.m. ET	Gates and Fan Fest open to the public	WakeMed Soccer Park
6:00 p.m. ET	First Semifinal Match: No. 3 Syracuse vs Creighton	WakeMed Soccer Park
8:30 p.m ET	Second Semifinal Match: No. 13 Indiana vs Pitt	WakeMed Soccer Park
Halftime of the Second Semifinal Match	Fan Fest closed to the public	WakeMed Soccer Park

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12
4:30 p.m. ET	Gates and Fan Fest open to the public	WakeMed Soccer Park
6:00 p.m. ET	National Championship Match: TBD vs TBD	WakeMed Soccer Park
Halftime of the Second Semifinal Match	Fan Fest closed to the public	WakeMed Soccer Park
Conclusion of Match	Championship Trophy Presentation	WakeMed Soccer Park

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