Pitt
California (Pa.)
Panthers Shut-out Vulcans, 3-0
8/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt men’s soccer team took down the California University of Pa. Vulcans, 3-0, in its final exhibition game of preseason on Sunday at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Senior midfielder Patrick Dixon netted two goals on the day, while freshman forward Tobias Marshall-Heyman recorded his first collegiate goal.
Twelve different Panthers contributed to the 23 total shots on the day. Cal U tallied five shots, including two on goal.
“We took a step forward today,” said head coach Joe Luxbacher. “We had a lot of offensive opportunities and tweaked some things to make sure we’re better moving forward.”
The first goal of the day came in the 40th minute from Dixon as he placed the ball in the lower right corner following a blocked shot.
Pitt out-shot the Vulcans 14-2 in the first half, and held on to its lead entering the second.
Dixon struck again in the second half, scoring his second goal of the match in the 50th minute. Junior midfielder Romeo Charron found Dixon in the box on a Panther corner kick, which Dixon sent in past the Cal U keeper, giving Pitt a 2-0 lead.
The final goal of the game came in the 62nd minute when Pitt’s Marshall-Heyman scored his first collegiate goal off a cross ball from fellow freshman Thomas Suchecki.
“We need to be organized and know how we want to play, and then adjust to what the other team is doing,” said Luxbacher. “We want to dictate how we’re going to play.”
Pitt opens the regular season Friday, August 28 in Easton, Pa. The Panthers are set to face Lafayette at 12:30 p.m. and will conclude the weekend with Lehigh on Sunday at 1 p.m.
