The Pitt men’s soccer team is scheduled to kick off its 2013 regular season with a home contest against last season’s Horizon League Champions, the Oakland Grizzlies, Friday at Ambrose Urbanic Field. 

Last season, Oakland compiled a regular-season record of 11-7-1 and finished with a conference record of 5-1-1. Oakland comes into the season having lost both the Horizon League’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year to graduation. 

Despite the losses, the Grizzlies finished in a tie for second place in the preseason Horizon League poll, trailing only Milwaukee, and boast a very talented squad led by First-Team All-Horizon Leaguers in midfielder Miche’le Lipari and goalie Scott Messer.

Oakland Preseason Review

In three exhibition games, Oakland compiled a 2-0-1 record and outscored its three opponents 5-2. The highlight of the Grizzlies’ preseason came when they visited No. 19 Northwestern. 

In the match, the Grizzlies outshot the Wildcats 5-4 while Central Michigan transfer Sean Lewis and Eliott Tarney held the Wildcats off the board, allowing the game to end in a 0-0 tie. 

In the other two exhibition games against Rio Grande and Saginaw Valley State, Oakland dominated. The Grizzlies outshot their opponents by a combined 19 shots (31-12), had four different players tally a goal and played three different goaltenders. 

Pitt Preseason Review

In order to prepare for Friday night’s home opener, the Panthers played three exhibition contests against California University of Pennsylvania, Detroit and McMaster. The Panthers picked up a pair of shutout victories against CalU and McMaster, and the team picked up a tie against a very tough Detroit squad. 

In the preseason, the Panthers played every single active member of their squad, hoping to prepare some of the newcomers for Friday night’s opener and beyond. 

Projected starting net-minder Dan Lynd had a very impressive exhibition season. The sophomore from Penfield, N.Y., helped the Panthers to a tidy 2-0-1 record. 

Offensively, senior Chris Davis and junior Chu Chu Onyeukwu paced the Panthers during the exhibition season. Davis, a transfer from Gardner-Webb, scored three times while Onyeukwu scored key goals for the Panthers in the final two exhibition games. 

The defense, led by senior captain John Cordier, posted solid performances against both McMaster and CalU, but the real story for the Panthers came from the midfield. 

After missing most of last season with foot injuries, juniors Dan Prete and Ryan McKenzie were both extremely impressive in the preseason. Prete scored a goal in Sunday’s win over McMaster, and McKenzie assisted on the Panthers’ first goal of Sunday’s win. 

Key Matchup 

Oakland SR Midfielder Miche’le Lipari against the Panthers’ back line. 

Last season, the Panthers struggled with turnovers and consistency within the back line. And although the Panthers have worked hard on tightening up and improving their ball control, this was an area of weakness in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Detroit. 

If the Panthers are sloppy with the ball, look for the Grizzlies’ main weapon, Lipari, to take advantage early and often. Last season, Lipari tallied seven goals and three assists.

The Panthers defense must be on the lookout for the shifty Lipari at all times. 

Prediction: Pitt 3, Oakland 1 

The Panthers will pick up their first victory of the season Friday night against Oakland. Look for big games from senior transfer Davis and last season’s lead goal scorer, Nico Wrobel. 

The back line will be up for the challenge and not turn the ball over, allowing the pair of forwards to get into space and pressure Oakland.