Young scores twice in Panthers’ overtime win

Keeyan Young scored two goals, including the game winner, to help the Pitt men’s soccer team… Keeyan Young scored two goals, including the game winner, to help the Pitt men’s soccer team defeat Georgetown, 2-1, in double overtime Sunday.

With the win, Pitt’s record improves to 5-8-0 overall and 2-4-0 in the Big East. The Hoyas dropped to 4-7-2 overall and 1-5-0 in conference play.

“[Georgetown] is competing with us for a spot in tournaments. We’ve struggled with them in the past, so it was a big win,” head coach Joe Luxbacher said.

Georgetown advanced early with a goal in the eighth minute of play. The Hoyas’ Ricky Schram finished a corner kick from teammate Daniel Grasso to give Georgetown the 1-0 lead.

Just 13 seconds later, Pitt evened the score, when Young broke through the Hoyas’ defense for his fifth goal of the season.

With the score even at one, the Panthers’ defense came up big. Redshirt sophomore goalie Justin Lowery saved nine of 19 shots to keep the game tied.

Regulation time ended, sending the game into overtime. During the first overtime period, Georgetown’s attack was strong, but Pitt’s defense stayed tough and shut down the Hoyas’ offense.

The first period of overtime ended in a deadlock, sending the teams into double overtime. The Panthers’ offense had a much stronger showing and was able to penetrate Georgetown’s defense.

Young outran the defense again and ended the game by sending the ball to the back of the net with 1:42 left in the period. The goal was Young’s team-leading sixth of the season and his third game winner.

“Keeyan is starting to play better,” Luxbacher said. “He has a lot of ability, and for the last three or four games, he’s upped [his play]. The win was a team effort, but Keeyan made the play when we needed it.”

Pitt is on the road again for its next conference game on Oct. 18 against Providence.