Pitt men’s soccer historic season ends in the Elite Eight, ending the Panther’s College Cup Dreams

On a frigid Saturday in December, snow piled on the sidelines, with each player’s breath visible from the stand and a standing-room-only crowd at hand, No. 2 Pitt men’s soccer (14-6-0, 6-2 ACC) battled Vermont (16-2-5, 4-1-2 AEC) in an Elite Eight showdown. 

In a tense contest, the match came down to a handful of Pitt mistakes and Vermont’s commitment to defense, as the Catamounts left Pittsburgh with a 2-0 victory and its first College Cup appearance in program history.

“When you put eleven players inside the 18, it’s very difficult to break down the defense,” Pitt head coach Jay Vidovich said. “Sometimes we didn’t execute as well as I’d like. But kept the attacking up several times they got some great blocks and saves.  It’s the nature of the game, mistakes can punish you very very severely.”

Even with the loss, the Panthers remain a rising powerhouse in NCAA soccer. Including this season, Pitt has made two of the past five College Cups and four of the last five Elite Eights. Regardless of falling short of their post-season aspirations, Pitt still earned its first conference title since 1985 – first as an ACC member.

“We had a great season,” Vidovich said. “The senior group just did a wonderful job of raising the level here and the standard, once again we took another step toward putting Pittsburgh on the soccer map. I’m very proud of everyone involved with the program. Especially, good luck to my seniors who are graduating this week”

The proverbial man of the match and leader of the Catamounts defense, first-year goalkeeper Niklas Herceg, added to an impressive first-year season, where he compiled an outstanding 0.688 goals against average. The inexperience never showed as Herceg came up clutch with a career-high nine saves.

In a kickoff surprise, the Panthers began the game without the services of junior defender Casper Svendby. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year started 17 matches and ranked third on the team in minutes. Svendby played the entire overtime match against Kansas City – holding down the backline for 98 minutes. Pitt missed the Drammen, Norway native’s playmaking ability, as the Panther failed to organize offensively.

The Panthers’ usually sound defense had a few miscues early, but Vermont failed to capitalize on the opportunities. On the other hand, the return of junior defender Jackson Gilman offset Pitt’s loss of Svendby. Gillman left the opening-round game with a red card, forcing the Panthers to beat Cornell with only ten men. 

Vidovich subbed Svendby into the game in the 32nd minute. Svendby entered the game at right wing for fellow Norwegian sophomore forward Albert Thorsen – the Sweet Sixteen golden goal scorer. Vidovich aimed to spark a tense Pitt attack.

The first half featured a back-and-forth battle, without significant scoring chances. Pitt controlled possession, outshooting Vermont seven to three. Pitt often kept possession close to the Catamount’s net – reminiscent of a power play.

The Catamount’s defense deserves credit for their shutdown half. Despite Pitt’s dangerous positioning, the Catamounts consistently clogged passing lanes and intercepted the Pitt crosses. And when shots reached the net, Herceg stayed strong, making an impressive five saves.

Even with limited possession, an opportunistic Vermont attack appeared potent throughout the half. The Catamounts remained content to sit back and wait for a chance to counter, hoping to catch the Panther defense by surprise.

The half culminated with Vermont getting the best chance of the match. The Catamounts attacked quickly after Herceg initiated the drive with an aggressive goal kick. A foul on Pitt first-year defender Niklas Soerensen gave the Catamounts a freekick. Off a well-designed set piece, graduate student defender Mike Bleeker headed a ball right into the hands of Pitt junior goalkeeper Cabral Carter.

Vermont quickly opened the scoring to start the second half. What started as a routine throw-in became disastrous for the Panthers. Soerensen left the ball for Gilman off a lackadaisical throw-in. Gilman completely whiffed on the ball, opening the window for Vermont. Junior forward Maximilian Kissel’s high effort played off, gaining possession from his pressure and skillfully beating an unexpecting Carter.

With a College Cup appearance on the line, Pitt turned up the pressure. Over the next 20 minutes, the Panthers earned three corners and forced Herceg into three saves. In the 71st minute graduate student midfielder Arnau Vilmitjan collected a rebound a few feet from the open goal, yet he rocketed the ball far over the net.

Pitt’s leading goal scorer senior forward Luis Sahmkow had an equally potent chance in the 73rd minute. Herceg had answered the bell yet again with a diving save.

Pitt’s desperation became palpable, as the sunset on the field and perhaps the Panthers’ season. Vermont committed completely to the defense, bringing every Catamount within 20 yards of their net.

In spite of, Pitt’s best efforts the Catamount defense stayed strong, earning them the program’s first College Cup appearance.

In the dwindling moments, Vermont put one final dagger in the Panthers’ soul with a final-minute insurance marker – for a final score of 2-0.