Preview: In a clash of top ranked teams, No. 1 Pitt men’s soccer hosts No. 6 Denver

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

NCAA Men’s Soccer 

No. 1/3 Pitt (9-1-0, 4-0-0 ACC) vs. No. 6/1 Denver (7-0-4, 2-0-0 Summit)

Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 – 7 PM – ACC Network
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Ambrose Urbanic Field

PSN Coverage:  Griffin Floyd (Twitter – @GriffinFloyd62 )

The hottest team in Division I men’s soccer and ACC leaders, Pitt, will play host to another program that has been a perennial contender and top ranked squad, Denver at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Monday night.

The match is being billed as a contest between two No. 1 teams, as Pitt has risen the No. 1 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches poll, while Denver holds that distinction in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings.  Pitt is also the top program in the all-important Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

𝐍𝐨. 𝟏 𝐯𝐬. 𝐍𝐨. 𝟏 🍿

Let’s pack Ambrose Monday night

🎟️ https://t.co/gwTXO9Zry7 pic.twitter.com/e1qiVmkuAC

— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) October 4, 2024

The two programs have played each other three times in recent years, with Pitt boasting a 2-0-1 record in these contests — all played at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

There are ties between the programs too, as Pitt’s Head Coach Jay Vidovich coached Denver head coach Jamie Franks, along with Pitt assistant coach Zack Schilawski during when they were at Wake Forest, where they won the NCAA Men’s Division I Soccer National Title.  (Monday night’s broadcast match analyst Michael Lahoud was also part of that squad)

Pitt comes into this match in very good form and currently are a perfect 3-0 against nationally ranked opponents this season, though its only loss came to Penn, who are now No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches poll.

Behind a brace from junior forward Eben McIntyre, Pitt earned a decisive 8-1 victory over Howard Wednesday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Pitt’s eight goals scored Wednesday marked the Panthers’ highest offensive output in the Vidovich era. As a team, Pitt attempted a season-high 34 shots – the third most any Division I team has taken in a single match this season.

While Pitt has one loss, Denver have played four draws, all against Nationally ranked and Power-5 conference schools.

After a subpar season (by recent high standards) Pitt’s turnaround season has been impressive, as they’ve been outstanding in league play and are sole possession of first place in the ACC with just four league matches remaining.

Coming into the season, the Panthers were picked to finish ninth in the league, but yet again under Vidovich’s guidance and with a recruiting class that has seen numerous impact players, they are back in the conversation as a National contender.

Leading the way, senior forward Luis Sahmkow has recorded six goals in the last five games, bringing his season total to eight – which ranks seventh nationally. Of note, Sahmkow recorded back-to-back braces against Louisville and Cleveland State earlier this season.  Two additional returnees have posted strong seasons as well, with Albert Thorsen with six goals, while Guilherme Feitosa has been a key playmaker, scoring three goals and dishing out five assists.

Among the newcomers who’ve added more dynamic play and depth to attack include the two Casper Transfers:  Casper Grening (Kentucky) and Casper Svendby (Dayton) — with Grening proving to be a nuisance on the left side and Svendby on the right, as they’ve combined for five goals and eight assists

A positive result vs Denver, would only solidify Pitt’s standing in the National Rankings and for its inevitable selection to the NCAA Tournament as one of — if not — the top seeds.

A Closer Look: Denver

No. 6 Denver has gotten off to a 7-0-4 start this season, including a 2-0 mark in Summit League play.

Offensively, Denver is led by star midfielder Sam Bassett – who has logged six goals and eight assists this season.  In goal, keeper Isaac Nehme owns a 0.93 GAA.

The Pioneers have navigated one of the toughest schedules nationally, opening the season with six-consecutive road matches.  Of note, Denver earned a 1-0 road victory at No. 2 Stanford.

Monday will mark the fourth all-time meeting between Pitt and Denver, as the Panthers currently lead the series, 2-0-1.  Last season, Pitt earned a 3-1 victory at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

	United Soccer Coaches	TopDrawerSoccer	NCAA RPI
Preseason	Unranked	Unranked	–
Week 1	No. 3	No. 10	–
Week 2	No. 8	No. 12	–
Week 3	No. 7	No. 6	–
Week 4	No. 2	No. 5	–
Week 5	No. 1	No. 3	No. 1
Week 6	No. 1	No. 3	No. 1

Up Next

Pitt will remain home Friday, hosting Cal at 7 p.m. The match can be streamed via ACCNX.