Pitt drops two heartbreakers at home

Pitt men’s soccer dropped two matches this week to clubs riding hot streaks.

On Wednesday… Pitt men’s soccer dropped two matches this week to clubs riding hot streaks.

On Wednesday night, No. 19 West Virginia dominated Pitt in a 3-1 decision, while Seton Hall added to the Panthers’ misery with a 2-1 victory on Saturday. Both were home games for Pitt at Founders Field.

Pitt’s record is now 1-10-2 with a 0-6-1 Big East mark. The Panthers are winless since Sept. 17.

After several positive efforts came despite tough losses in recent weeks, Pitt coach Joe Luxbacher emphasized that this weekend was not the same.

“No passion at all in the first 20 minutes,” Luxbacher said after Pitt’s loss to Seton Hall. “Both goals were bad goals. It was the same thing with the West Virginia game.”

Goalkeeper Jordan Marks tallied a career-high 12 saves in the West Virginia match, and kept the Panthers close with Seton Hall.

But overall, Luxbacher didn’t like what he witnessed.

“The only positive thing was that guys who came off the bench and don’t usually play as much played better than the so-called starters,” Luxbacher said. “If we played 90 consistent minutes instead of 70, we might win the game. That has been the story.”

Pitt will take a few days to regroup before squaring off against Duquesne in a non-conference showdown on Wednesday night at Founders Field.

WVU 3, Pitt 1

West Virginia (7-4-0) took the lead in the 21st minute with a goal off a corner kick by defender Alex Erwin. The score set the tone for the match, and Pitt’s rivals never looked back.

Midfielder Andy Wright added another goal for the Mountaineers in the 28th minute, and scored a second only minutes into the second half. In all, West Virginia out-shot the Panthers, 12-2, in the first half, keeping Pitt’s defense on its heels.

Wright’s second goal followed a nice save by Marks, but Wright grabbed the rebound and put it past Marks before he was able to fully react.

Pitt’s offensive pulse came alive after that. Defender Andy Kalas notched his second goal of the season with a header in the 56th minute. Pat Kerr got the assist on the cross.

That was all Pitt could muster.

Seton Hall 2, Pitt 1

Pitt was plagued once again by a poor start, this time against Seton Hall.

In only the ninth minute, Seton Hall got on the board with a goal by Andrew Welker after a deflection by Marks. Pitt’s defense was unable to corral the loose ball, resulting in the opening goal.

Seton Hall’s second goal in the 19th minute proved to be the deciding one. Midfielder Brayan Martinez, who gave Pitt’s defense fits all day, received a pass from Steven Rose and placed a hard shot past Marks in the upper left-hand corner of the net.

Pitt had only minimal chances throughout the first half, and the few that popped up were neutralized by Seton Hall’s strong defense.

Seton Hall’s physical play outmatched the Panthers, and Pitt didn’t adjust until the second half. Matt Baker, who had a strong game, just missed another opportunity with only a second left in the first half with a shot wide left.

Pitt again came out strong in the second half, looking completely reinvigorated. But again, Seton Hall’s defensive prowess stole the show in key moments.

After a few clutch saves by Seton Hall goalie Paul McHenry, Pitt broke through with a goal with less than two minutes remaining.

Baker’s hard shot into the top corner cut the deficit in half, 2-1. That proved to be the final score.

It was too little, too late for the Panthers.

“You can’t have 15-minute lapses of the game,” Luxbacher said. “They’re a good team, and we ended up with nothing.”