Hokie ClubPITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team outshout the Pitt Panthers 13-9, but the Hokies could not find a goal as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
“Tonight was a tough game for us. It was very much back and forth. We did some good things, but we weren’t sharp enough in the midfield or up top to get the result we wanted,” said head coach Mike Brizendine.
Both teams were stagnant in the opening minutes with neither producing a chance to score in the first 15 minutes.
The 17th minute saw Pitt nearly take the lead. The Panthers’ Chris Davis took advantage of a defensive miscue from the Hokies and hit a shot from 40 yards out that nearly sailed in but his effort went just wide.
Tech had an opportunity to score in the 24th minute when sophomore Daniel Lauretano hit a shot, but Pitt’s goalkeeper Dan Lynd was able to make the save.
Pitt earned their second opportunity to score in the 28th minute when the Panthers’ Davis got behind the Tech defense for a breakaway. Kyle Renfro was able to thwart the attempt with an impressive kick save.
Neither team was able to produce much for the rest of the half until Pitt earned a couple of corners in the final minutes. The Hokies were able to outlast the Pitt attack and go into the half deadlocked at 0-0.
Pitt rattled off three shots in the opening minutes of the second half, forcing Renfro to make one save. Senior David Clemens hit a shot in the 57th minute and freshman Niels Kirch hit a shot in the 60th minute but both of their shots went just high.
Freshman Brandon Eaton had a chance to put Tech on top in the 77th minute, but his shot was blocked by a Pitt defender.
Senior James Duvcevski broke free from the Pitt defense in the 82nd minute but his shot went just wide.
Neither team was able to break the deadlock, pushing the game into overtime. For the Hokies, this would be their fifth overtime game of the season and the fourth for the Panthers.
The first overtime period saw neither Pitt nor the Hokies create any quality chances and the second overtime period began. The second overtime was not much different and the game ended 0-0.
Kyle Renfro made two saves in the match earning his fourth shutout of the season and his 13th career shutout.
“I’m happy that we got the point tonight but I feel like we missed out on an opportunity to get three. We need to get some things together over these next few days before we take on second-ranked Notre Dame,” concluded Brizendine.
The Hokies are back in action on Friday when they play host to the No. 2-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish.