Late Drama at Ambrose: Freshmen Mamadou Tall’s header lifts Pitt to 1-0 victory over Penn

NCAA Men’s Soccer

FINAL: Pitt 1, Penn 0

Match Box Score / Stats 

In a match where the big moments happened in the late stages, Pitt escaped a challenge from Penn, picking up a 1-0 win at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Monday night.

Freshman forward Mamadou Tall’s header in the 79th minute rescued Pitt in a sluggish match where the hosts were putting ample pressure on goal, but struggled to find a breakthrough.

Pitt was also fortunate to benefit from Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review that overturned a potential equalizer on a brilliant volley from Penn’s Jack-Ryan Jeremiah in the 86th minute.  The goal was nullified due illegal contact prior to the shot attempt.

The Panthers now gear up for the start of ACC competition, as No. 3 SMU will visit Ambrose Urbanic Field on Friday (7 p.m. kickoff).

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half

• 3:08 — Pitt Threatens First: Anders Bordoy places a low shot toward the bottom right corner, but Penn goalkeeper Phillip Falcon III makes the save to keep it scoreless.

• 12:21 — Moxom Tested: Penn’s Romeo Dahlen unloads a dangerous strike aimed for the top left corner, forcing Pitt GK Jack Moxom to turn it aside.

• 14:59 — Panthers Push: Grayson Carter carves out space inside the box but pulls his effort off-target.

• 33:03 — Tactical Changes: Pitt makes a triple substitution, bringing on Mamadou Tall, Bruno Bertran, and Carter Kopay to spark the attack.

• 35:00 — Falcon Denies Wetzel: Gavin Wetzel hits a low drive toward the bottom left, but Falcon III dives to deny the defender.

Second Half

• 57:45 — Bertran On Target: Bruno Bertran tests Falcon III with a low effort to the bottom right, but the Penn keeper holds firm.

• 70:05 — Grabfelder Stoppage: Caden Grabfelder forces another save from Falcon III with a strike aimed at the bottom left.

• 73:57 — Scretchen Denied: Cannon Scretchen rings a shot toward the bottom corner; Falcon III collects his 6th save of the night.

• 78:53 — GOAL (PITT 1, PENN 0): Following a short corner routine and reset to the edge of the box, Caden Grabfelder whips a service to the far post. Freshman Mamadou Tall rises to head the ball into the top left corner. VAR Review conducts a quick check on the sequence; the goal stands.

• 85:47 — Penn Corner Chaos: Penn earns a corner kick following a blocked Joaquin Niehenke shot.

• 86:08 — OVERTURNED GOAL (VAR): Penn’s Jack-Ryan Jeremiah strikes a right-footed shot into the top right corner for an apparent equalizer. A VAR review is conducted on the buildup, assessing that there was a push on the back of a Pitt defender and the goal is OVERTURNED, preserving Pitt’s 1-0 lead.

• 88:14 — Moxom Locks It Down: Penn’s Romeo Dahlen puts a shot bottom-center, but Moxom smothers it to secure the 1-0 clean sheet win.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now