Men’s Soccer: Defense excels, offense struggles

The Pitt men’s soccer team didn’t allow a goal in two exhibition games this weekend.

The only problem was it couldn’t finish many goal-scoring opportunities of its own… The Pitt men’s soccer team didn’t allow a goal in two exhibition games this weekend.

The only problem was it couldn’t finish many goal-scoring opportunities of its own.

The Panthers opened up the season with an exhibition game victory over California University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

In the 26th minute, Ryan Brode scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory into the lower left corner from close to 30 yards out. Senior midfielder Alex Betancourt registered the assist.

The Panthers outshot the NCAA Division II Vulcans 14-4 and had several other chances but couldn’t find the back of the net again.

“We controlled the game but missed a couple of goals and had one called back,” head coach Joe Luxbacher said.

Pitt’s goalkeeper Hami Kara, a junior transfer from Prince George’s Community College, played all 90 minutes in net and threatens to take the starting goalkeeper position from the returning starter, sophomore Keegan Gunderson. Gunderson is currently out with a concussion. Kara was ranked the No. 1 NJCAA goalkeeper in the nation last season.

“Kara is a good goalie and has played well so far,” Luxbacher said. “He was a Junior College All-American and is a great competitor. The goalie competition is great, and Keegan will have to win his spot back when he returns from injury.”

This game was also highlighted by an all-Kalas showdown. Pitt senior defenseman Andy Kalas and his brother Mike, who plays for California University of Pennsylvania, represented their respective teams as captains prior to the match.

Pitt tied St. Francis (Pa.) 0-0 in its second exhibition game on Saturday. In what has become a familiar trend dating back to last season, the Panthers once again had trouble finishing. They outshot the Red Flash 13-8, but much like in the first game ­— and all of last season — they had trouble finding the back of the net.

“We played two solid games, defensively and offensively,” Luxbacher said. “Against St. Francis, we had chances but couldn’t put one in. They are a solid team, but we controlled the game.”

“At the end of the day you win with defense. You obviously need to score, but we still played solid games,” Luxbacher said. “We don’t need to adjust anything, just wait for the team to come around. We have a lot of new players, and they are still getting used to one another.”

Freshman Alex Grayson lead the team with four shots, and both Kara and freshman Matt Aberegg saw time in goal.

The Panthers begin the regular season Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., when they host Robert Morris at Founder’s Field.