Men’s soccer misses key chances in Cincy

At some point in the season, the Pitt men’s soccer team may recall this as a missed… At some point in the season, the Pitt men’s soccer team may recall this as a missed opportunity for a vital win.

For the time being, however, the Panthers must come to terms with a heartbreaking loss to a recently turned-Division-I UC-Davis squad and look ahead to a fast approaching Big East season.

After tying UNLV, 1-1, in double-overtime in it’s first match in the Xavier Tournament in Cincinnati, Pitt squandered a 2-0 lead in its second match of the tournament and returned home winless despite two strong efforts.

“We played a good half in each game,” Luxbacher said, referring to the team’s tournament experience.

“We have to string together 90 minutes, not play 45 or 50 good minutes. It’s a 90-minute game, and that’s going to be our goal from here on out.”

Pitt (0-2-1) will attempt to earn its first victory of the season this Friday against Wright State at Founders Field in Indianola, Pa.

The game will be the first of two that comprise the Pitt Invitational. The Panthers will play Binghamton Sunday afternoon to wrap up their final tournament before the start of conference play.

Pitt 1, UNLV 1

While the Panthers offense floundered, their defense turned in a spectacular performance in the first game of the Xavier Tournament Friday afternoon.

Junior forward E.J. McCormick scored the game’s first goal in the 58th minute of play. McCormick received a pass just inside the box from teammate Eric Jaeger and punted a hard liner past the Rebel goalkeeper into the left corner of the net. It was Pitt’s first and only shot on goal of the entire match.

UNLV responded less than 10 minutes later when Lamar Neagle sailed a shot just over the outstretched arms of Pitt goalkeeper, Jordan Marks.

Despite allowing the tying point, Marks managed to keep the Rebels in check with four saves (two each half). Neither team produced another shot in two overtime periods, and the grueling 110 minutes of play resulted in a tie.

“I thought we deserved to win the game,” said Pitt head coach Joe Luxbacher. “We had numerous chances and did not convert them.”

UC-Davis 4, Pitt 2

The Panthers opened the match with a quick goal from senior midfielder Matt Langton. Langton sprinted unchallenged into the box and beat the keeper to give Pitt the lead 2:53 into the game.

Six minutes later, McCormick notched his second goal of the infantile season. McCormick received a cross pass from Pat Kerr inside the Aggie box and easily beat the keeper to give Pitt the 2-0 advantage.

Pitt nearly increased its lead 25 minutes into the half, but Samuli Ahola’s shot was blocked by the UC-Davis goalie.

In the 30th minute, Kerr elicited a yellow card, giving the Aggies’ Sule Anibaba a penalty kick opportunity. Anibaba’s shot rocketed past Marks to cut the Panthers lead in half.

Minutes later, Anibaba garnered another penalty kick when he was fouled inside the box. He was once again successful, and the game was tied 2-2 at the half.

Anibaba completed his hat trick on a cross pass inside the box from teammate Dylan Curtis. The Aggies never relinquished the lead and added one more tally on a goal by Chris Leer in the 77th minute of action.

The Panthers managed only one shot on goal the entire second half as they suffered a psychologically draining defeat, blowing a two-goal lead.

RMU 3, Pitt 1

Pitt failed to redeem itself Tuesday afternoon following its tough-luck tournament in Cincinnati.

While the Panthers did finally manage to consistently pressure the opposing goalkeeper, RMU’s Matt Felice was up to the challenge.

Felice, the Colonials’ junior keeper recorded six saves and even notched an assist on Robert Morris’ first goal of the match.

McCormick did score his third goal in as many contests in the 78th minute to cut the Colonials’ lead to 2-1. It proved to be insignificant, however, as Robert Morris responded quickly to take a 3-1 lead and assure itself of victory.