PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A first-half burst of three goals in seven minutes and a sending off sealed the fate of No. 21 Virginia Tech against No. 12 Pitt in a 4-1 loss for the Hokies on Friday night.
In the 23rd minute, Sivert Haugli found himself seeing red after colliding with a Pitt (10-4-1, 5-2-1 ACC) player outside the box. The Bertin Jacquesson free kick that ensued put the Panthers, who clinched a share of the ACC Coastal championship with their win, a goal ahead.
Three minutes later, the Hokies (9-4-3, 3-4-1 ACC) conceded a second goal from outside the box with a dipping shot from Rodrigo Almeida.
Down to ten men, Tech gave up a penalty in the 30th minute that Alexander Dexter converted, ultimately putting the game out of reach.
Of note, Kahlil Dover stepped into the starting lineup for the first time this season after Mayola Kinyua missed his first match of the season.
In the second half, Virginia Tech and Pitt split goals, as Daniel Starr grabbed his first career goal in the 87th minute.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will host Boston College at Thompson Field on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the ACC Championship. Admission will be free.
OTHER NOTES
The NCAA D1 Men's Soccer Committee announced its top-16 seeds for results through October 26. The Hokies came in at No. 12.
After going through an undefeated non-conference slate that came up against several strong opponents, including No. 1 Marshall, while competing in the intense ACC – Virginia Tech poises a strong record after coming against one of the country's toughest schedules.