Aug. 31, 2008

Box Score

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.—E.J. McCormick’s goal in the fifth minute proved to be the game-winner as the Pitt men’s soccer team registered a 1-0 victory over Rider Sunday at the Robert Morris University Soccer Tournament. Pitt improved to 1-1-0 on the year while Rider fell to 1-1-0.

McCormick, who scored his seventh career goal, trapped Matt Baker’s shot from 30-yards, turned and fired a left-footed shot at the goal. The quick turn and hit found the left side of the net, giving Pitt a 1-0 lead in only the game’s fifth minute. Baker registered his fifth career assist.

The score was all Pitt needed as it registered its first shutout victory in 22 consecutive matches. The 1-0 victory was Pitt’s first shutout win since it defeated Georgetown 1-0 in 2006.

Pitt goalkeepers Jordan Marks and Eric Barnes each played 45 minutes apiece. Barnes made four first half saves.

Pitt outshot Rider 17-6 and finished with four corner kicks to Rider’s two.

Pitt finished in second place in the four-game, two-day RMU Tournament. Three Pitt players including Ryan Brode, Sam Luffy and Connor Malone earned all-tournament honors.

Pitt is back in action at Duquesne on Thursday, Sept. 4. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Team Finish

Champions-Albany; Second Place-Pitt *; Third Place-Rider; Fourth Place-Robert Morris.

* won head-to-head tie-breaker

All-Tournament Team

Claudio Dantas, Albany (MVP)

Konner McNamara, Albany

Erik DiLorenzo, Albany

Mike Peters, Albany

Ryan Brode, Pitt

Sam Luffy, Pitt

Connor Malone, Pitt

Nico Tramontana, Rider

Randy Zapolski, Rider

John Morihlatko, RMU

Eric Bittner, RMU

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