No. 12 Pitt men’s soccer team routs No. 21 Virginia Tech 4-1

The No. 12 Pitt men’s soccer team hosted No. 21 Virginia Tech at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Friday night for a top-25 matchup that would mark the end of the regular season. And in the regular-season finale, the Panthers took down the Hokies by a score of 4-1.

Pitt would gain an early advantage, as Virginia Tech defender Sivert Haugli was shown a red card and sent off in the 23rd minute. And on the ensuing free kick, Pitt forward Bertin Jacquesson would open up the scoring with a well-placed shot. That shot cleared a wall of defenders, and although Virginia Tech goalkeeper Ben Martino got a hand on it, it ricocheted into the back of the net to give the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.

In the 26th minute, Pitt midfielder Rodrigo Almeida placed a shot on target from 25 yards out, and after it struck the inner portion of the crossbar, it bounced over the line to make it 2-0. And in the 30th minute, Pitt forward Alexander Dexter converted a penalty kick to put Pitt up 3-0, and that would remain the score at the halftime break.

Even with the game well in hand and Virginia Tech down a man due to the red card, Pitt would not take its foot off the pedal in the second half. In fact, the Panthers logged eight shots in the final 45 minutes compared to six in the opening half, and one of those shots found the back of the net in the 68th minute. That goal came off the foot of Pitt freshman Luis Sahmkow, and it was the first goal of his collegiate career. And while Virginia Tech forward Daniel Starr would respond with a goal in the 87th minute, it wouldn’t be enough, and the Panthers would win 4-1.

With the win, Pitt earned a share of the ACC Coastal title for the second season in a row. The title will be split with Coastal rival Duke, which also finished the season with 16 points in conference play. Pitt also improved to 10-4-1 overall and 5-2-1 in ACC competition. That record is good enough to earn Pitt a bye in the ACC tournament, and the team will play the winner of a game between eighth-seeded Boston College and ninth-seeded Virginia Tech. Pitt’s next matchup will kick off from Ambrose Urbanic Field at 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 7.