No. 17 Hokies Can’t Break Through In 2-0 Loss To No. 1 Pitt 

Davis Woody

Staff Writer

September 28, 2024

BLACKSBURG — After being postponed a day due to rain, No. 17 Virginia Tech took on No. 1 Pittsburgh on Saturday night at Thompson Field. 

Much like most teams that face them, the powerhouse Panthers (8-1-0, 4-0-0 ACC) proved to be too much for the Hokies (5-1-2, 1-2-0) to handle, cruising to a 2-0 victory.

Pitt began attacking early, showing off its speed and effective pressure that forced Tech into quick, unproductive decisions that ultimately led to failed chances. 

That was the story for the Hokies throughout the first half: Missed opportunities.

“We had four really good looks that, if they had them, at least two of those are goals,” Tech head coach Mike Brizendine explained after the game. “That’s the difference right now. We need to get back to scoring goals because it's not a lack of opportunities or shots, for sure.”

Tech squandered what seemed to be a gift of a Pittsburgh turnover in a dangerous part of the field, ultimately leading to a scoreless corner kick. Later, two incredible goal opportunities were missed thanks to the work of the tough Panthers defense, as well as the Hokies’ misfortune and slightly misplaced passes.

In the 31st minute, Tech freshman defender Stephensen nearly scored off of a corner kick that Pitt sophomore goalkeeper Jack Moxsom blocked with an incredible reaction.

It was a first half highlighted by Virginia Tech’s strong defensive performance, their promising scoring opportunities, and Pitt’s relentless ability to keep the ball out of the net. It was hard to tell which side was the top-ranked team in the country. Tech had all the momentum going into the halftime and looked like it had won the first half.

The Hokies kept that momentum, starting the second half with yet another scoring opportunity. A near-goal came in the 54th minute, as a Tech throw-in turned into what would have been a perfectly crossed ball if someone was there to finish it, followed a minute later by yet another misplaced cross.

However, Tech’s chances to take the lead were up, and its defensive efforts couldn’t hold back the No. 1 team in the country forever, as the Hokies let in an own goal in the 65th minute off of a Pittsburgh corner kick.

Tech’s offensive sparks continued despite the own goal, highlighted by a long shot from freshman midfielder Ian Marcano that hit the top post, inches from leveling the game back up. Unfortunately, those sparks quickly faded, and the Hokies’ momentum slipped away, as their effort seemed to die down with the clock.

Pittsburgh took this as a sign to put its foot on the gas to the tune of a second goal off the right foot of Casper Grening in the bottom-left corner, assisted by Luis Sahmkow and Casper Svendby. 

It was an effortless goal by a Pittsburgh team that, for the first time in this game, showed why it's deserving of that No. 1 spot.

With nothing left in the tank and consumed by the jaws of defeat, Tech sluggishly gave Pitt’s Luis Shamkow a solo opportunity at a goal but was thwarted after being pulled down by Willie Cardona, who received a yellow card, proving to be the nail in the coffin for the Hokies.

“We’re not far off from being a championship group,” Brizendine said. “We need to be clinical in the final third. We had plenty of opportunities and we need to capitalize on those. We can only get so many against a team like that, and it’s gonna hurt you.”

Pitt continues to impress and adds a win to its unbeaten season, while Tech followed its hot start with two straight losses to ACC opponents. 

The Hokies will look to end that streak heading into their next game against Queens on Tuesday (6 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra), which will hopefully still feature them as a top-25 team.