BLACKSBURG – After a one-day postponement due to weather, No. 17 Virginia Tech battled top-ranked Pitt but ultimately lost 2-0 at Thompson Field on Saturday night.
Tech, at home for the first time since Sept. 5, looked to take on the No. 1 Panthers, outscoring them 15-7, but Pitt took advantage of second-half opportunities to grab all three points.
Pitt took the lead in the 65th minute when a corner kick unfortunately deflected off the head of Harrison Krieg, and 12 minutes later Casper Groening scored from close range on a ball that hit the ground from the right side to extend the lead to two. Spread to a point.
Despite not converting any chances, Virginia Tech created plenty of chances on both ends.
Several times, the Hokies pitted the Panthers’ defensive third and immediately tried to reverse the goal. But Pitt’s defense recovered well each time and forced Tech into rushing shots.
One of those turnovers resulted in a corner kick in the 32nd minute, which was met by Declan Quill who headed the ball back into the goal. Floki Stevensen stood up and deflected a header toward the goal, but Pitt’s keeper made a quick save to keep the game scoreless.
Cooper Wenzel, who used his feet a lot all night, made his only save of the night in the 38th minute when he scooped up a ball sent to the floor by Groening.
With just seconds remaining in the first half, Marcos Escort won the second-half corner kick but was forced in as time expired. His ball fell to Stevensen who had space to volley, but it just missed the target. The score remained 0-0 with the Hokies entering halftime with a 7-2 shot advantage.
The second half started off promisingly for Tech as they continued to put the ball in dangerous areas, but it was Pitt who sparked the game with a goal.
The 65th-minute goal marked the second straight ACC game in which Tech allowed its first goal in the second half.
Despite the setback, the Hokies responded well and moments later found Oliver Roche heading toward the goal, forcing the Pitt goaltender into a save. A few minutes later, Ian Marcano, aiming for an equalizer, took a left-footed shot that hit the crossbar.
The Panthers slowed down the momentum the Hokies had gathered a few minutes later, scoring their second goal in the 77th minute.
Virginia Tech was unable to put a shot on goal following that moment.
The Hokies will look to end a two-game drought when they host Queens (N.C.) on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Precautions
Virginia Tech has lost its last two ACC games 2-0, outscoring opponents a combined 30-14. The Hokies started defensemen Harrison Krieg and Noe Wimana together for the first time Saturday night. Floki Stevensen led Tech with two shots on target.
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