Men’s Soccer: Pitt suffers first defeat in Big East opener against Cincinnati

After playing four games in eight days, fatigue seemed to plague the Pitt men’s soccer team as…

The Pitt men’s soccer team lost its first game of the season over the weekend, falling 1-0 against Cincinnati.

Bobby Mizia, Senior Staff Photographer

After playing four games in eight days, fatigue seemed to plague the Pitt men’s soccer team as the Panthers suffered their first defeat of the season Saturday night.

Facing the Cincinnati Bearcats (4-4-1, 1-0 Big East) in the conference opener for both teams, Pitt (6-1-2, 0-1 Big East) dropped a tight 1-0 decision on a rainy and windy evening at the Petersen Sports Complex.

“I thought a few of our guys didn’t have the performance we were looking for,” Pitt head coach Joe Luxbacher said. “The effort was there, but we just weren’t as sharp as Cincinnati.”

Pitt started the game quickly, setting the tempo and creating several scoring chances.

The Panthers’ best scoring chance of the first half occurred when freshman Graham Smith sent a perfect pass to the feet of junior Ryan McKenzie, who ripped a shot that was blocked by a Cincinnati defender.

After the great scoring chance, Pitt failed to keep the momentum, and the Bearcats opened the scoring just before the break.

Cincinnati midfielder Matt Remaley hit a shot that Pitt goalie Lee Johnston was able to save.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, the rebound deflected right to Bearcat freshman John Manga, who finished the opportunity, giving his team what would prove to be a decisive 1-0 lead.

“The goal came down to maturity,” Pitt senior captain John Cordier said after the game. “This is a young team, but at the same time, we need to know when to kill a half. But tonight we were unable to do that, and it cost us.”

Unlike previous games, Pitt didn’t produce a dramatic comeback.

The Panthers only had a few scoring chances in the second half, with the best of these coming off a free kick from sophomore Michael Tuohy.

In the 89th minute, Tuohy chipped the ball into the box, where freshman Nick Wysong headed the ball toward the net. But Cincinnati goalie Taylor Hafling deflected the ball away, preserving the 1-0 advantage for his team.

Following the defeat, Johnston was already looking forward to Pitt’s next game.

“Navy is going to be a good challenge, but the guys will be ready come Tuesday night,” the sophomore goalie said.

Hoping to begin another undefeated streak, the Panthers will host the Naval Academy’s soccer team on Tuesday at the Petersen Sports Complex at 7 p.m.