Connect with us

College Soccer

NCAA Tournament Post Match: Pitt’s Jay Vidovich, Albert Thorsen and Arnau Vilamitjana react to thrilling 3-2 win

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

Albert Thorsen came through as the hero for Pitt, who fought off a tough challenge from Kansas City in match that went to extra time, but the Panthers earned a hard fought 3-2 victory in the Third Round of NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament match at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Sunday night.

Match Report:

Albert Thorsen the walkoff hero as Pitt Men’s Soccer moves on to Elite Eight

PSN’s Griffin Floyd was there to provide coverage and caught post match reaction from Panthers’ Head Coach Jay Vidovich, midfielder Arnau Vilamitjana and forward Albert Thorsen, along with Kansas City Roos’ Head Coach Ryan Pore.

Vilamitjana scored a goal and had the assist on Thorsen’s game winner in extra time.

The Panthers will now host the Fourth Round (Elite Eight) match on Saturday vs Vermont, who defeated San Diego on Sunday night.

Head Coach Jay Vidovich: ‘So Proud of the Guys’

“Hats off to Kansas City. A tremendous performance they gave us. It was a tremendous test,” Vidovich said.

“So proud of the guys. The way they responded to the goals. The quality of football they played was just really fantastic.  They created some tremendous opportunities. They were there until the very end. It was another challenge going to overtime. Just a great goal. We had some really good looks, so I am very happy for the guys and for the program.”

Kansas City Head Coach Ryan Pore: ‘It took a lot to beat our team tonight’

“I was telling our guys, we’re a really tough team to beat.  It took a lot to beat our team tonight. Credit to Pitt. They’re a great team.  But I couldn’t be prouder of our guys.  How our program captivated a whole university community. It was a special season to be part of. Kansas City got put on the College Soccer map with this run. It takes a lot of character and personality to do that. Our guys deserve all the credit in the world for how they performed, not just in the wins, but in tough environment like tonight. And, responding twice, and the clock ran out on us.”

Albert Thorsen on Scoring Game-Winner: ‘That was everything’

“We played a 100 minute football match. We were all tired. We were looking for a way to end the game,” Thorsen said.

“The fact that I was able to get the last one, to help the team. That was everything.”

Arnau Vilamitjana: ‘Most important thing is we stay together’

‘The most important thing, is we stay together, the entire game. It’s what we’ve been talking about the past two weeks, is to stay together. I think we are unstoppable when we play together. I could find Albert through those patterns. It’s what we work on and it came together.”

 

 

Full Pitt Men’s Soccer Press Conference (NCAA Men’s Soccer Third Round)

Full KC HC Ryan Pore Men’s Soccer Press Conference (NCAA Men’s Soccer Third Round)

Related Topics

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

PSN’s Featured Community Partner: Open Field International

More in College Soccer