Inside The Panthers

No. 1 Pitt Men's Soccer Defeats No. 6 Denver

No. 1 Pitt Panthers men's soccer defeated No. 6 Denver at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Dominic Campbell

Pitt Men's Soccer Celebrates a goal
Pitt Men's Soccer Celebrates a goal / Courtesy of Pitt Athletics

PITTSBURGH -- No. 1 Pitt Panthers men's soccer controlled their match against No. 6 Denver and came out with the 2-0 win at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

The Panthers (10-1 overall) have won their past seven matches, which started back on Sept. 7, tying their longest winning streak since they won their first seven matches in the 2020-21 season. They also improve to 3-0-1 against the Pioneers (7-1-4), winning last season at home 3-1.

Panthers head coach Jay Vidovich served as the coach for Pioneers head coach Jamie Franks when he coached at Wake Forest. Franks played for four seasons from 2005-08 under Vidovich, winning the 2007 National Championship.

"We're very fortunate that he's able to come and provide us with a game," Vidovich said on Franks. "He comes on in. He did it on no rest again, played on Saturday. It's a testament to his belief in his team. So it's a fantastic opportunity for us. They always play. They're a strong, competitive team. It's great competition for us out-of conference, strong RPI game and a great result for us tonight."

This also marks the best start for Pitt men's soccer since they won 11 of their first 12 matches in the 2000 season. It is also the highest ranked win in the regular season, since they defeated their rival in the No. 6 West Virginia Mountaineers at home on Aug. 29, 2022.

Pitt had the first chance of the match, as senior midfielder Guilherme Feitosa took a shot with his weaker left foot from outside the box, that went over the net in the sixth minute.

Both teams struggled to create chances, with Denver only having one shot in the first half.

Pitt broke through in the 39th minute, as freshman forward Lasse Dahl took the ball on the right wing, came inside the box and laid off a pass for senior midfielder Michael Sullivan, who took it first time and got it through the Denver defense and past the goalkeeper for the opening score.

That goal was the first of the season for Sullivan, which tied his mark for last season of just one goal as well, which came in the NCAA Tournament First Round loss at home to James Madison. That assist was also the fifth of the season for Dahl, tying him for the team lead with Feitosa.

"[Dahl] did fantastic," Sullivan said on the goal. "He commits the first defender. Luis [Sahmkow] makes a great run to the front post. Centre-back has to either go with him or step up to me and he decides to track Luis and I get the open net. Great team goal."

The Panthers doubled their lead in the 51st minute, as senior forward Casper Grening cut inside, took advantage of space and released a powerful, curling shot into the top right corner of the net.

That goal was the fourth for Grening this season, after scoring just one last year for Kentucky, and his third straight match with a goal.

"Amazing feeling," Grening said. "Sometimes, you just got to take the shot. You don't score until you shoot it and it went in, so I'm really pleased about that.

The Panthers held strong defensively the rest of the match, not allowing the Pioneers to get many chances and got another important win this season in front of a big crowd at home.

Pitt will return to ACC play this weekend, as they host newcomer Cal for their first ever matchup on Oct 11 at 7:00 p.m.

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Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

Follow Dominic Campbell on Twitter.