PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Men’s Soccer team used a three-goal second half to defeat the visiting Bucknell Bison 3-2 Wednesday night at Founders Field.

The second half was Pittsburgh’s most productive half this season offensively to date and lifted Pittsburgh’s overall record to 4-8-0, while the loss drops the Bison to 6-5-0 on the 2003 season.

The Bison opened the scoring in the 12^th minute of play when Chris Beekman forced a turnover just inside the penalty box. Beekman then dribbled in on Pittsburgh goalkeeper Justin Lowery (Atlanta, Ga./Paideia School) and beat him inside the far post for the 1-0 lead.

The Panthers answered back just 44 seconds into the second half when Brendon Smith (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) sent a pass through the Bucknell defense to the fleet feet of sophomore Keeyan Young (North Wales, Pa./Haverford School), who finished the ball for his fourth goal of the season past Bison goalkeeper Adam Edwards tying the game at one.

Pittsburgh’s offense struck yet again just five minutes later in the 51^st minute when Shawn Wildman (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) crossed the ball through the box to fellow freshman Johnathan Clow (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive), who touched the ball to Bryan Headrick (Scotdale, Pa./Southmoreland). Headick then fired the ball past Edwards for the 2-1 lead and his first goal of the season.

The offense of the young Panthers would find the net for the final time early in the 61^st minute when Headrick controlled the ball briefly before dropping it off to Tyler Bastianelli (Bear, Del./St. Marks), who sent a 25-yard hooking shot on net the wrapped inside the far post for his second career goal and a 3-1 lead.

Bucknell responded in the 63^rd minute when Mark Mascarenhas sent a pass through the Panthers’ defense to find Scott Visnic, who beat Lowery in the near post to close the scoring.

Lowery finished the game with two saves on eight shots for his fourth career victory. The Panthers’ offense managed to outshoot the Bison 9-8, while Bucknell held the advantage in corner kicks 3-2.

Pittsburgh returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 12^th when it travels to Washington D.C. for a Big East showdown with the Georgetown Hoyas. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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