PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer team kicked off their 2025 season in style, securing a 1-0 win over Quinnipiac in front of 1,719 fans at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Thursday night.
The lone goal of the match came early in the first half when Santiago Ferreira found the back of the net in the 8th minute. The freshman forward capitalized on a well-worked play, with assists credited to Gavin Wetzel and Josh Hardin. It proved to be all the Panthers needed on a night where defense dominated.
Defensive Battle
Pittsburgh goalkeeper Jack Moxom earned his first shutout of the season, making two crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. The redshirt sophomore was particularly impressive in the second half, denying William Holum in the 65th minute and Luke Schierenbeck shortly after to maintain the Panthers' slim advantage.
"Jack made some big saves when we needed them," said Pittsburgh head coach Jay Vidovich. "That's what good teams do – they find a way to win these tight games."
The Panthers controlled much of the first half, outshooting Quinnipiac 8-0 and earning five corner kicks. Lasse Dahl was particularly active in the attack, putting three shots on frame but unable to find the target. The home side maintained 62% possession throughout the match, dictating the tempo for long stretches.
Second Half Surge from Quinnipiac
The Bobcats showed significant improvement after halftime, outshooting Pittsburgh 5-3 in the second period and creating several dangerous opportunities. Emilio Balderrama kept Quinnipiac in the game with a spectacular save on Dahl's shot in the 68th minute, but the visitors couldn't find the equalizer despite their increased pressure.
"We made some adjustments at halftime and I thought we were the better team in the second half," said Quinnipiac coach Eric Da Costa. "But you have to take your chances at this level, and we didn't do that tonight."
Physical Affair
The match featured its share of physicality, with 28 total fouls called – 16 on Pittsburgh and 12 on Quinnipiac. Despite the choppy play at times, referee Kevin Morrison kept control and didn't need to show any cards.
Both teams utilized their benches extensively, with Pittsburgh making nine substitutions and Quinnipiac using 10 different players off the bench. The rotation helped maintain intensity throughout the 90 minutes on a warm August evening.
Looking Ahead
The victory gives Pittsburgh (1-0-0) momentum heading into their next match against Michigan State on Monday, August 25 at 7 PM at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The game will be televised on ACC Network as the Panthers look to build on their opening night success.
For Quinnipiac (0-1-0), the narrow defeat provides plenty of positives to build upon despite the result. The Bobcats will look to bounce back when they travel to face #8 UMass on Thursday, August 28 at 4:00 PM in what promises to be another challenging early-season test.
By the Numbers
Pittsburgh: 11 shots (3 on target), 9 corner kicks, 62% possession Quinnipiac: 5 shots (2 on target), 4 corner kicks, 38% possession
The Panthers' ability to limit Quinnipiac to zero shots in the first half proved crucial in setting the tone for their season-opening victory. With strong defensive organization and clinical finishing when it mattered most, Pittsburgh showed the qualities that could make them a force in the ACC this season.