Men’s Soccer: Panthers continue search for first win of the season against William and Mary

Pitt men’s soccer returns to Ambrose Urbanic Field Tuesday night for a break in conference play against the Tribe of William and Mary. The Panthers (0-6-4, 0-5-2 ACC) look for their first win of the regular season following back-to-back ties.

Pitt’s two recent match results inspired a stint of confidence in the team, as the Panthers tied both Virginia Tech last Tuesday and Syracuse on Saturday. Each draw was led by goalkeeper Dan Lynd’s efforts, and both matches ended without either side scoring a goal.

Lynd leads the ACC in conference play with 32 saves, averaging 6.4 per game, but the Panthers’ keeper ranks seventh in save percentage at 74.4 percent.

Overall this season, Lynd has started every game for the Panthers and the opposition has scored just 1.43 goals per game against him. Lynd’s total save percentage registers at 79.5 percent, and Lynd has recorded 58 total saves. 

But like the Panthers’ season thus far, Lynd’s efforts just haven’t been enough. Lynd’s record of 0-6-4 reflects the team’s total record in 2013 that is yet to see the team win a game.

Winless 2013 may carry through Tuesday’s game, as the Tribe enters the match as winners of four of their past five contests. Out of the Colonial Athletic Association, William and Mary (5-3-1, 1-1 CAA) boasted what was possibly the upset win of the year when it defeated No. 1 North Carolina Sept. 24, 1-0.

William and Mary’s win gave the Tar Heels their first loss of the season and was spurred by a goal from Jackson Eskay in the 73rd minute.

Eskay is tied for the team’s lead in both points and goals with three scores and nine total points. Chris Albiston is tied with Eskay for the team’s leading points by virtue of his team-high five assists. 

Four of the Tribe’s players own multiple goals this season, with three scored by Eskay and Josh West and two belonging to Albiston and Chris Perez.

William and Mary’s offense averages only 1.33 goals per game over its nine games this season, and the Tribe relies primarily on a staunch defense. Thus far, William and Mary has allowed its opposition to score seven total goals — good for a goals against average of just 0.78. 

A large part of the Tribe’s defensive effort comes from its physical play on their side of the pitch. This season, William and Mary has committed 103 fouls (more than 10 per game) against 78 total committed by its opposition.

That defensive effort will make life difficult for a Pitt team that hasn’t scored a goal since Oct. 1 against Xavier in a 2-1 loss. Since, the Panthers have been shut out by Virginia, Virginia Tech and Syracuse. 

The challenge to score only gets tougher against Tribe goaltender Mac Phillips. Phillips has allowed just seven goals this season and 82.1 percent of the shots placed on his pipes.

Meanwhile, the Panthers enter the match with an average of only 0.40 goals per game over 30 shots on goal this season. Phillips has saved 32 total shots this season.