Men’s Soccer: Panthers continue unbeaten run

The Pitt men’s soccer team enjoyed another perfect weekend — thanks largely to the efforts…

Freshman Matt Venanzi (7) scored a crucial goal on Sunday to help Pitt to victory.

Nicholas Vu, Staff Photographer

The Pitt men’s soccer team enjoyed another perfect weekend — thanks largely to the efforts of two freshmen.

First-year starter Nick Wysong paced the Panthers in their two games, recording a hat trick in Friday’s win over Northern Kentucky and an assist against Duquesne on Sunday. His performance won him Big East Rookie of the Week honors.Fellow freshman Matt Venanzi scored the game-winning goal against Duquesne Sunday.

The Panthers (5-0-2) have won their last four games and are off to the program’s best start since 1986, when they started 7-0.

Despite the early success, head coach Joe Luxbacher doesn’t think the Panthers have hit their stride yet.

“We still are playing a little bit inconsistent. At times we’re playing really well, but there are times where our level drops off. While we are getting better, we’re still not where we need to be, or where we will be [for Big East play],” he said.

Pitt 3, Northern Kentucky 2

Like they have done for most of the season, Pitt fell behind early but rallied late to beat the Northern Kentucky Norse Friday night.

Four of the undefeated team’s seven results have come after trailing late, displaying these Panthers’ penchant for drama.

“We’ve been in similar situations all year, so when we went down two goals, we knew that it was still possible for us to win. At the same time, we knew we needed to play better soccer,” junior Ryan McKenzie said.

Northern Kentucky, led by freshman Nick Toney, would score twice in the first 55 minutes.

The first goal occurred when Toney curled a shot from eight yards out that Pitt sophomore goalie Lee Johnston couldn’t get a piece of.

The second goal occurred in similar fashion. Toney received a perfect lead pass from fellow freshman Kevin Walker, dribbled past a charging Johnston and found the back of the net, giving NKU a 2-0 lead.

But true to form, Pitt would come back in a big way, led by birthday boy Wysong.

Wysong received three monster gifts in the form of a hat trick.“This was about the team tonight,” Wysong said. “Every single one of my goals was off a major contribution from one member of the team.”

Wysong’s first tally of the night came off a rebound. After he shot on frame, Wysong received a pass from junior striker Nico Wrobel and buried the second chance for his first goal of the night, also his first of the season.

After breaking the shutout, Pitt kept pressing for more, with the closest opportunity coming when Wysong sent a bending ball off the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Wysong would level the score, thanks in large part to McKenzie’s efforts.

McKenzie, after receiving a clean pass, streaked toward the goal, forcing NKU backup goaltender Ben Dorn off his line. Dorn deflected the attempt into the corner and away from McKenzie.

Unfortunately for the goalie, McKenzie got to the loose ball and sent a beautiful pass across the face of goal to the right foot of Wysong, who calmly put his finish away to tie the contest at two.

After the second goal, Pitt continued to surge. Sophomore Michael Tuohy had a shot go just wide of the goal, and the Panthers had an even better chance a few minutes later to gain the lead, which they would convert.

After the Panthers earned a corner kick, their tenth of the match, left-footed midfielder Matt Walbert sent a perfect ball into the box.

Wysong somehow got on the end of it, heading it in to complete his masterful performance and arguably “the best night of his life”.

“This night was better then I could have possible dreamed it to be. For me to score my first goal and a hat trick on my birthday is pretty amazing. This is by far the best soccer memory of my life,” Wysong said.

Behind Wysong and the team’s great second-half effort, Pitt would have serious momentum heading into its Sunday matchup at Duquesne.

Pitt 2, Duquesne 1

Pitt picked up where it left off at the beginning of the weekend starting incredibly quick on Sunday, scoring within the first five minutes of the game at Duquesne.

The goal came off a beautiful pass from Wysong. The freshman midfielder threaded a pass to Wrobel, who finished the play by scoring his fifth goal of season.

But the Dukes (3-4) would respond.

Sophomore forward Karter Sell hit a hard shot from 18 yards out that was blocked by Pitt defender John Cordier, but the rebound bounced right back to Sell, who directed it into the net, tying the game at 1-1.

Following the equalizer, play went back and forth for the rest of the first half and most of the second half before Pitt took control.

In the 70th minute, Venanzi was fouled about 30 yards from goal, earning a free kick. Venanzi then stepped up and drove the ball into the left corner of the net, cleanly beating Duquesne goalie Sam Frymier.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to get my first career goal [off a free kick] and help the team get a win,” Venanzi said.

But the Dukes didn’t quit, creating several opportunities to tie the game again.

In the 86th minute, freshman goalie Dan Lynd, who had to take over for the injured Johnston, was beaten by Duquesne striker Josh Patterson, but the forward’s shot rocketed off the post and out of play.

Lynd also made a final save in the 89th minute to preserve the Pitt victory.

Pitt will face one last nonconference opponent — Robert Morris — Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Sports Complex, before opening up Big East conference play at home on Saturday against Cincinnati, also at 7 p.m.