Pitt loses at Seton Hall, 2-1

The Pitt men’s soccer team took the field against No. 23 Seton Hall on Saturday, but came up… The Pitt men’s soccer team took the field against No. 23 Seton Hall on Saturday, but came up one goal short for the fourth time this season, losing 2-1.

Seton Hall (3-1-2 Overall, 1-0-2 Big East) applied offensive pressure throughout the first half, outshooting Pitt (2-5-0 Overall, 1-2-0 Big East) 10-3.

The Pirates struck first, taking advantage of a miscommunication by Pitt defenders. Defender Clay Haflich chased the ball as it rolled towards his own goalkeeper, Justin Lowery. Haflich misheard Lowery and let the ball go, thinking Lowery was going to get it. Lowery was on another page and thought that Haflich was going to clear it himself.

“It was a lack of communication,” Haflich said. “I thought he said ‘let it go.'”

This miscommunication allowed Seton Hall senior midfielder Luke Vercollone to close in and take the free shot on net. The goal was unassisted and put the Panthers behind 1-0 just 7 minutes, 37 seconds into the game.

The second half was much like the first. Seton Hall again applied strong offensive pressure as it outshot Pitt 7-4.

The Pirates came close to increasing their lead when John Goncalves had his shot ring off the post and glide along the goal line. Panther defenders cleared the ball before it rolled across the line.

With less than nine minutes left in the game, Seton Hall sealed the victory with what would prove to be the game-winning goal. Vercollone passed the ball to the center, and Sacha Kljestan shot the ball past Lowery from 15 yards out. The goal came at the 81:10 mark and put the Pirates up 2-0.

The Panthers rallied late, but came up short. Less than a minute after Seton Hall’s second goal, Johnathan Clow scored to cut the lead to 2-1. The play occurred when Panthers’ midfielder Mike Cunha crossed the ball to the middle. Clow came slashing in and kicked the ball to the upper right corner of the net. The goal came at the 82:33 mark.

Lowery finished the game with six saves. Pirates’ freshman goalkeeper Ian Joyce recorded five saves.

The Panthers were outshot in the game 17-7, and, again, offense was a problem.

“We had quality opportunities,” Coach Joe Luxbacher said. “We [have] to make the best of [our] opportunities.”

Both teams had great scoring chances, but neither was able to make the best of their chances.

“The game could have [easily] been 5-4,” Luxbacher said. “We just have to keep battling to get over the hump,” Luxbacher said.