Sept. 10, 2001

PITTSBURGH-In a game that was similar to a season-opening loss to Rutgers, the Panthers' men's soccer team dropped a 3-2 decision to Birmingham Southern College in the second game of the Nike Classic, held in Birmingham, Ala.

Pittsburgh got out to an early 2-0 lead as it did against the Scarlet Knights on Sept. 1, but couldn't maintain the lead and lost the game in the second overtime on a penalty kick by Birmingham Southern's Falk Terjek.

Just 6:21 into the contest, Chris Churchill notched his first goal of the season on a rebound right in front of BSC goalkeeper Ryan Simms. Churchill (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley) was the Panthers' top returning scorer from last year's 13-5 team.

In the 21st minute, Peter Veltri (Washington, Pa./Trinity) scored on a cross by Bryan Hopper (North Versailles, Pa./East Allegheny) to increase the Panther lead to 2-0.

Birmingham Southern, also called the Panthers, got on the scoreboard before the first half ended on a goal by Jamie Holmes at 39:40.

With just 59 seconds remaining in the contest, BSC's Paul Munro slipped a free kick into the upper left corner of the net behind Panther goalkeeper Justin Gaul (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./William Tennant) to tie the game at 2-2.

After the first overtime expired with neither team scoring, Birmingham Southern converted on the penalty kick at the 109:49 mark to end the game.

Gaul and Churchill were named to the all-tournament team after the contest. Gaul made seven saves in Sunday's loss and eight in Saturday's 1-0 loss to host UAB. Churchill, along with his goal against BSC, played strong defensively throughout both games.

The Panthers (1-3) will play at crosstown rival Duquesne on Wednesday and the next home game will be Saturday at Quaker Valley High School against Big East opponent Georgetown. Game times are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.