Men’s soccer struggles offensively at UConn

The Pitt men’s soccer team failed to register a single shot on goal and just five shots… The Pitt men’s soccer team failed to register a single shot on goal and just five shots overall, as they were shutout in Big East play 1-0 by the Connecticut Huskies.

The loss dropped the Panthers record to 2-2-2, while the Huskies upped their record to 4-3-1.

“We’re disappointed that we couldn’t come away with a win, but it wasn’t as if we didn’t play our hardest out there,” head coach Joe Luxbacher said. “We played a tough game, but just came out on the short end.”

The only goal of the game came at 73:01 when Viktor Borggen inbounded the ball off a corner kick to Willis Forko, who headed the ball past Pitt goaltender Justin Lowery for the 1-0 lead.

“They had a few corner kicks in a row, and we were able to stop the first couple, but things went their way on the last one,” Luxbacher said. “The ball actually was headed and then went off of someone’s back before entering the net.”

Forko’s goal was the first of his collegiate career, and Borggen’s assist was his second of the season.

Connecticut seemed in complete control of the game with 19 shots compared to Pitt’s five. The Huskies also recorded seven shots on goal, while shutting the Panthers out in the category.

“We had a few shots skip right by the net or sail over it,” Luxbacher said. “We just weren’t able to get the one in that we needed.”

The game, which was played at Morrone Stadium in Storrs, Conn., nearly set a Big East record for attendance at a soccer game, but fell short as the final count registered at 5,327 spectators — 743 shy of the record 6,070.

“It was a great atmosphere because Connecticut is a great team with some great fans,” Luxbacher said. “They were cheering for good soccer too, so it wasn’t like they were all against our team.”

Bonginkosi Macala led all players with seven shots and four shots on goal, while Easton Wilson was right behind with three of his own.

Keeyan Young finished with three shots to lead the Panthers, while Lowery was able to tally five saves.

The Panthers return to action today at Founders Field when they host Marshall, with game time set for 4 p.m.

“It isn’t a Big East game, but Marshall is a Big East caliber team, and it will be a nice test for us before we have to go and play nationally ranked Seton Hall later in the week,” Luxbacher said.