Men’s Soccer: Players seek to end winless streak against Virginia Tech

The Pitt men’s soccer team (0-6-2, 0-5-0 ACC) will take the pitch this evening when it hosts the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-3-3, 1-1-3 ACC). For a team riding a streak of winless matches that spans the Panthers’ most recent 20 games in conference play, the matchup is a crucial one, according to center back and captain John Cordier.

“Tonight’s game marks the second half of the season and an opportunity to get points in the ACC. It’s very important for us to get a [positive] result,” Cordier said. “With just six games remaining, there are plenty of opportunities to earn points and make the conference tournament.”

Series History

The Panthers and Hokies played three times from 2001-2003, when both schools were members of the Big East Conference. The Hokies own a 2-0-1 record in the three matchups against Pitt. 

The most recent match in 2003 was a 6-0 home victory by Virginia Tech.

Key Player: Virginia Tech Goalie Kyle Renfro

This season, Renfro has been critical to the Hokies’ moderate success. Renfro has posted three shutouts this season and has allowed one goal or fewer in five out of the team’s nine contests. 

In a recent match against No. 13 Clemson, Renfro recorded a career-high 10 saves to help preserve a 0-0 tie. 

Last season, Renfro finished third in save percentage, and finished atop the conference in saves with 98. This season, Renfro ranks fifth in the ACC in save percentage, second in saves per game and fourth in total shutouts. He is also tied for first in saves with Pitt goalie Dan Lynd.

Pitt Season in Review

This season, the Panthers have struggled with consistency, as the team has yet to win a game all year. Just last Tuesday, the Panthers had their best chance to tally the first victory of the season in a nonconference matchup against Xavier. 

A pair of miscues, most notably a missed penalty kick by Ryan Myers, combined with a pair of tough calls by the officials cost the Panthers a victory.

Following the match against Xavier, the Virginia handed Pitt its most lopsided victory of the season, when the Cavaliers blanked the Panthers 5-0. In the game, sophomore goalie Dan Lynd was replaced in favor of Braden Horton when Lynd gave up the fourth goal of the match in the 49th minute. 

This season, the Panthers have had a pair of narrow ACC losses to N.C. State and Boston College. In the match against the Wolf Pack, the Panthers allowed a golden goal in the fourth minute of overtime. Pitt allowed two goals in the final nine minutes against the Eagles, including a goal with just 65 seconds remaining in the contest.  

Virginia Tech Season in Review

This season, the Virginia Tech Hokies have been inconsistent at times. After opening the season with a victory against Binghamton, Virginia Tech fell to the Fordham Rams 2-1. 

Following the loss to Fordham, the Hokies played well in the first three ACC conference games they played this season: a victory over formerly ranked Syracuse, a tie against former No. 1 team in the country North Carolina and a tie against perennial powerhouse Duke. 

Since the match against North Carolina, Virginia Tech has lost a pair of tough matches, a 2-0 loss to Navy and a 3-0 loss to No. 20 Wake Forest. Two weeks ago, the Hokies tied No. 13 Clemson.  

This season, Virginia Tech has failed to score in a match four times and has scored one goal or fewer in seven of the team’s nine matches.