Sept. 14, 2008

Box Score

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.--Junior Chris Wilcox nailed a shot into the goal's upper left corner to give the Pitt men's soccer team a 1-0 double overtime victory over Western Michigan Sunday at Robert Morris University North Athletic Complex. The score gave Pitt the Pitt Invitational Soccer Tournament title with a 2-0-0 weekend record. Pitt also defeated Bryant 2-1 in overtime Friday evening.

Pitt improved its record to 4-1-1 on the year, its best start to a season since 2002 when it began its campaign with a 4-0-0 record. The four wins also surpass Pitt's victory total from last season (three). Western Michigan drops to 1-4-1.

Defensive efficiency has been the key to Pitt's success in the early going. Pitt has yielded only three goals in its first six games this year. The Panthers have given up only one goal in their last five games and are 4-0-1 in those contests. Goalkeepers Jordan Marks and Eric Barnes have combined for four shutouts and a .912 save percentage. Defenders Andy Kalas, Connor Malone, Sam Luffy, Joe Prince-Wright, Samuli Ahola, Shane Flowers and Ian Farnsworth have limited opponents to only 63 shots over those six games.

Defense was the key again on Sunday as the Panthers limited Western Michigan to only three shots on the afternoon. The Broncos' first shot was registered after 70 minutes of play.

The second key to Pitt's success has been timely scoring. Friday evening, it was Prince-Wright's game-ending score. Today, it was Wilcox.

In the game's 102^nd minute, Wilcox controlled a throw-in from sophomore midfielder Justin Boehm, turned his defender and blasted a shot into the goal's upper left corner for the game-winning goal. The goal was set up by Sam Luffy's defense which gave the Panthers the throw-in deep in WMU territory. Boehm immediately picked up the ball and found Wilcox in the center of the field just outside the penalty box.

Pitt controlled play for the majority of the game, outshooting Western Michigan 14-3 and finishing with a 6-0 edge in corner kicks. Jordan Marks made three saves in the game for his second shutout of the year.

Pitt finished with a 2-0-0 record in the tournament. Robert Morris finished second with a 1-0-1 record, Bryant third at 0-1-1 and Western Michigan finished fourth with a 0-2-0 slate. In Sunday's first game, Robert Morris and Bryant tied 0-0 in double overtime.

Four Panthers were named to the all-tournament team including three defenders in Andy Kalas, Connor Malone, Eric Jaeger and Chris Wilcox.

Pitt opens Big East play on Friday, Sept. 19 at home against Rutgers. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Founders Field.

Pitt Invitational Men's Soccer Tournament Information

Records

1. Pitt 2-0-0

2. Robert Morris, 1-0-1

3. Bryant, 0-1-1

4. Western Michigan, 0-2-0

Scores

Friday, Sept. 12 (games played at Founders Field)

Robert Morris 2, Western Michigan 1

Pitt 2, Bryant 1 (OT)

Sunday, Sept. 14 (games played at RMU)

Robert Morris 0, Bryant 0 (2OT)

Pitt 1, Western Michigan 0 (2OT)

All-Tournament Team

Connor Malone, Pitt

Andy Kalas, Pitt

Eric Jaeger, Pitt

Chris Wilcox, Pitt

Tyler Stanley, Robert Morris

Matt Felice, Robert Morris

Neil Shaffer, Robert Morris

Matt Brown, Bryant

Norbert Guery, Bryant

Trevor McEnroe, Western Michigan

Shaun Clements, Western Michigan

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