Pitt Men’s Soccer falls 2-0 to Syracuse; claims first-ever ACC regular season title

Although Pitt Men’s Soccer suffered an ugly 2-0 road loss to the Syracuse Orange on Friday, November 1, closing their regular season in disappointing fashion, the unfortunate result didn’t stop them from making program history.

The Panthers won their first regular season conference title since 1985, and their first ever in the Atlantic Coast Conference, as Clemson and Virginia Tech played to a 2-2 tie in Blacksburg, leaving Pitt atop the conference with 18 points.

Pitt controlled possession for much of the match and led Syracuse in shots 13-10, shots on goal 5-3 and corner kicks 6-3, while they also received less fouls (7-4), yellow cards (4-2), and offsides (3-1). Nevertheless, the Panthers managed just one save to the five stops from Orange keeper Tomas Hut, suffering their fourth shutout loss of the season.

Syracuse pulled ahead in the sixth minute, with midfielder Gabe Threadgold setting up to Pitt goalkeeper Cabral Carter’s right. Panthers’ defender Casper Svendby headed away a high pass intended for Threadgold, but the redirect found Syracuse midfielder Kristjan Fortier, and he beat Carter on the near side.

We are AHEAD#DareToDream https://t.co/c5EXuhV55Q pic.twitter.com/sxVjYwsEAU

— Syracuse Men's Soccer (@CuseMSOC) November 1, 2024

Hut survived a five-shot Panthers’ onslaught in the first half, including close range shots from Jackson Gilman and Niklas Sørensen, setting the table for Syracuse to net the decisive second goal.

The Orange doubled their lead in the 66th minute, scoring off a corner kick that caromed around in front of the net, eventually finding midfielder Nate Scott at point blank range.

Pitt Men’s Soccer falls to 12-4 on the season (6-2 ACC). They’ll have home field advantage through the first two rounds of the ACC Tournament, as well as a bye during the first round of games, which takes place on November 6. They’ll host a quarterfinal matchup at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Sunday, November 20, playing the winner of the No. 8 vs No. 9 seed matchup.