Pitt eliminates Pride in third round of NCAA Tournament

The Hofstra men’s soccer team’s record-setting season and title hopes came to an end on Saturday, Nov. 27. The Pride was shut out 4-0 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament by the Panthers of the University of Pittsburgh at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the Steel City.

With their win, Pitt moves on to the Elite Eight of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament. This loss also ended the Pride’s school-record 17-game unbeaten streak, giving them their first loss since Saturday, Sept. 11.

“I’d like to congratulate Pitt,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “I thought they were outstanding in how they moved the ball as well as their soccer I.Q., their athleticism and their shape on the field.” 

Hofstra was held to a season-low seven shots on goal this game. This was also only the second time this season that they were shut out.

“In the first half we had two or three good chances, and they had two or three good chances,” Richard Nuttall said. “If we maybe had gotten one of them early, we could’ve been in the game, but the second half, Pitt really moved the ball well and exposed our frailties.”

The Panthers got the scoring started at the 39:32 mark, when Filip Mirkovic put the ball in the back of the net from long distance, as the shot bent towards the near post. 

The second half was a whole different story, as Pitt doubled the lead at the 48:22 mark. An early corner kick in the second half kicked in by Raphael Crivello made it 2-0. Bertin Jacquesson made it 3-0 at the 62:50 mark, while Crivello got the brace just under five minutes later to finish the game 4-0.

The Pride were outshot 23-7, with Hofstra goalie Wessel Speel making seven saves, while Pitt goalie Nico Campuzano only needed to make one.

Looking back on this season, it was a truly historic campaign for the Pride. Hofstra set school records for goals with 56, assists with 58 and points with 170 this season. Hofstra also finished the year fifth in the NCAA with an average of 2.55 goals per game. Hofstra’s 56 goals were also the most by any team in NCAA this season.

The season’s conclusion marks the end of an era, as this was the last game as members of the Pride for George O’Malley, Matthew Vowinkel, Storm Strongin and Jack Nuttall.

“For me, personally, it’s been a pleasure to be a part of this group,” O’Malley said. “I’m proud of all the guys. I’ve just really enjoyed this year. It’s been my favorite year to date, and I’m just glad I get to leave on a high note.”

Hofstra finished the season with a program-best record 18-2-2. Coach Nuttall is now looking forward and hoping for an encore.

“We proved we can do it,” Richard Nuttall said. “We’re losing four fantastic seniors, but why can’t we do this again next year? I think this team set the bar for the future. We’re retaining a lot of the squad next year. We’ve got 20 returning great players, and hopefully a few more recruits, and strive to be at this level again.”

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics