The game between Denver (6-1-4) and Pittsburgh (10-1, 4-0) settled which team was the top men’s DI soccer team in the nation to this point in the season. The Panthers delivered the first loss of the season to Denver, 2-0, in Pittsburgh. A goal delivered late in the first half by the Panthers carried Pittsburgh to the win.
Monday night was a chess match over the first 30 minutes. Pitt’s Luis Sahmkow got the first shot-on-goal in the match. In the 38th minute, Pitt finally broke the scoreless draw when Michael Sullivan pushed a shot past Isaac Nehme to the right side of the net. The Panthers finished the half with 2 targets on frame while DU failed to challenge Panther keeper Jack Moxom.
Seven minutes into the second half, the Panthers struck again. Casper Grening found the upper right of the cage, 2-0. Denver created several shots on Moxom in the half but could never deliver a clean scoring opportunity against the stout Panther defense.
No excuses are needed for the Denver defeat. Pittsburgh deserved the win. Pitt outshot DU 13 (3 on net) 5 (2) and earned 7 corners to Denver’s 3. It was a tight match but it’s key to remember that Pitt not only had the home-field advantage but they also had five days of rest. Denver, on the other hand, played at home just two days ago and had to board a three-hour flight along the way. Jamie Franks’ side would never use short rest and a long flight as an excuse but sometimes, factors outside of your control can tilt the playing field against you.
The opener 😎
📺 ACC Network https://t.co/DD3sRvaGoc pic.twitter.com/f3w6FXS3QT
— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) October 7, 2024
🔥🔥
📺 ACC Network https://t.co/rom1pkZfAt pic.twitter.com/rfoOFUIqOP
— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) October 8, 2024
The Pios will use this loss as a learning experience. Pitt is a great team and deserves to be #1 right now. The Panthers are coached by Jay Vidovich, who started his coaching career as a DU assistant coach in 1982-83 and later went on to coach Jamie Franks in his playing days at Wake Forest.
It would be great to get another shot at Pitt on equal rest and at a neutral field in the NCAA tourney.
Also, remember that there are 205 NCAA D-I mens soccer teams and for DU to be near the top of the rankings of those teams is nothing short of amazing, given DU’s location and the reticence of top programs to travel to Denver. For comparison, there are only 78 men’s lacrosse programs and 64 D-I Men’s hockey teams.
I agree. Hoping we see Pitt again on a neutral field. Jamie Franks puts his teams in in uncomfortable situations to get ready for knockout football. The polls that really count are at the end of the season.
With the possession edge and advantage in quality chances that Pitt had, they did look a level above DU. That said, DU had a couple great possessions in front of the Pitt goal in the first half that should have led to better shots on goal. Overall, a good measuring stick for DU, and they passed the test fairly well. Great to have a top 10 soccer team, it’s a big accomplishment just to be at that level.