Preview and Scouting Report: No. 3 Pitt men’s soccer goes into the Lions’ den to renew historical rivalry with Penn State

Photo courtesy Penn State Athletics

NCAA Men’s Division I Soccer

Pitt (ACC 2-0-0) vs Penn State (1-1-0)

  Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 – 7 PM – B1G+
University Park, Pa. – Jeffrey Field

On Friday, Pitt men’s soccer team begins its quick, Labor Day weekend swing through Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, as they will play its first match after surging to No. 3 nationally following the first week of action, facing in-state historical rivals Penn State Friday evening at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pa.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed via Big Ten Plus.

The Panthers will have their hands full, as they’ll face a Penn State squad very much looking forward to this rivalry match, as they look to pack Jeffrey Field stands.

“We love playing in front of our fans at Jeffrey. It’s a big difference maker,” PSU’s Head Coach Jeff Cook told the Collegian this week.

The Pitt-Penn State soccer series has been played 36 times, with Penn State leading the all-time series 24-8-4; however, during the Jay Vidovich era, the two sides are 2-2-1.

Last season, the Panthers and Nittany Lions battled to a 1-1 draw at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the season opener for both sides, as it was the first draw in the series since 1976.

Tense Pitt-Penn State rivalry battle ends 1-1 draw in season opener

In the last six matchups between the two teams, the series is tied evenly at 2-2-2.

A Closer Look: Penn State

Penn State has opened the 2024 campaign with a 1-1 record, including a win over Army in its most recent contest.

The Nittany Lions’ bounce-back 2-1 win on Sunday against Army helped get the team back on track after its season-opening loss to No. 1 Clemson.

One of the key pieces up front for the blue and white will be sophomore Caden Grabfelder.

The Panthers will have to be alert when defending corner kicks, as Grabfelder was one of two to score an Olimpico, a goal scored directly from a corner kick, in Sunday’s matchup vs Army, and has been a dominant force on offense for the Nittany Lions.

This season, the Nittany Lions, who do not boast any players from Western Pennsylvania on its roster, were picked to finish second in the Big Ten Coaches Poll. Additionally, sophomore defender Mohamed Cisset, sophomore midfielder Caden Grabfelder and junior defender Matthew Henderson were tabbed as Big Ten Players to Watch.

Penn State soccer has been led by Head Coach Jeff Cook for the past seven years. The veteran coach lead Dartmouth to Ivy League titles and NCAA tournaments in the 2000 and early 2010s before moving over to the pro side, where he worked with Philadelphia Union, both in academy and as the first assistant with Brendan Burke for Bethlehem Steel FC during their run in the USL Championship.

Under Cook’s direction, Penn State won its fifth Big Ten regular season title a year ago. The Nittany Lions welcome 12 newcomers with seven transfers and five freshmen.

They also return 14 letterwinners from last season to complete the 27 man-roster, looking to replace five openings from last year’s starting XI.

The departure of Pete Mangione up front will be vital. The forward accounted for nearly 25 percent of the Blue & White’s scoring last season.

Additionally, the exit of goalkeeper Kris Shakes and defender Femi Awodesu will be felt. The duo were a part of a backline that kept opponents to .79 goals per match and seven shutouts.

Penn State returns 14 letterwinners from last season, including Big Ten All-Freshmen honoree Caden Grabfelder. The sophomore is the team’s second leading goal scorer from last season behind Mangione.

PACK THE STANDS TOMORROW NIGHT‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/943cAZsWNw

— Penn State Men’s Soccer (@PennStateMSOC) August 29, 2024

Panthers Last Time Out

Behind second half tallies from Thorsen and Guilherme Feitosa, Pitt earned a 2-0 victory over Mercyhurst Sunday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Pitt men’s soccer take care of business against Mercyhurst, 2-0

Sunday’s win marked Pitt’s second 2-0 start over the past three seasons.

While soccer isn’t typically described as a game of inches, the thinnest of margins prevented the Panthers from winning in blowout fashion.

The two sides played to a scoreless draw through the first 45 minutes of action, before Pitt broke the deadlock just over eight minutes into the second frame. In the 54th minute, junior defender Jackson Gilman played a perfect through-ball to freshman forward Lasse Dahl on the right wing, who found a streaking Thorsen in the box.

After taking a 1-0 lead, the Panthers remained on the attack, resulting in several quality chances. At the 77:30 mark, Feitosa fired a strike towards the right post that nearly snuck past the outreached arms of the Lakers’ keeper, giving Pitt a 2-0 advantage.

The Panthers’ stout defense continued for the remainder of the match, as Pitt held on for its second clean sheet of the season.

Historic Leap

After opening the 2024 campaign unranked, Pitt recently rose to No. 3 nationally, according to the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Of note, Pitt’s No. 3 ranking is the program’s highest since Aug. 30, 2022.

Unranked No More: Pitt men’s soccer quickly ascends to No. 3 United Soccer Coaches Poll ranking after 2-0 start

Panthers in the Polls ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/iglOHzhCNn

— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) August 28, 2024

Up Next

Following Friday’s matchup with Penn State, Pitt will travel to face Penn on Sunday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the match can be streamed via ESPN+.