No. 20 Panthers Welcome Syracuse for ACC Tournament Opener

PITTSBURGH – The No. 20 Pitt men's soccer team opens postseason play Wednesday, Nov. 4, hosting No. 13 seed Syracuse in the first round of the ACC Tournament at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the match broadcast live on ACCNX.

OPENING KICK

Wednesday's match marks the 30th all-time meeting between Pitt and Syracuse, with the Panthers holding a 12-11-6 advantage in the series. The teams met earlier this season on Oct. 2 in Syracuse, playing to a 1-1 draw. Albert Thorsen scored for Pitt, while Pedro Gulli found the back of the net for the Orange.
Pitt enters the ACC Tournament as the No. 4 seed after finishing the regular season 9-4-3 overall and 4-2-2 in ACC play. Syracuse earned the No. 13 seed, finishing 7-7-2 overall and 1-5-2 in conference action.
The Panthers have scored 22 goals this season (1.38 per game) while allowing just 17 goals (1.06 per game). Pitt averages 8.7 shots per game and has outscored opponents 22-17.
Mamadou Tall and Albert Thorsen lead Pitt offensively with five goals apiece. Tall leads the Panthers with 12 points, while Thorsen has 10 points and a team-high three game-winning goals.
Jack Moxom has started all 16 matches in goal, recording 45 saves, seven shutouts, a .726 save percentage and a 1.06 goals-against average.
Pitt has converted all four of its penalty kick opportunities this season, including two successful attempts by Caden Grabfelder.

LAST TIME OUT

Pitt closed the regular season with a 0-0 draw against Virginia on Oct. 30 at Klöckner Stadium, finishing 9-4-3 overall and 4-2-2 in ACC play.
Moxom recorded five saves to help the Panthers secure their seventh shutout of the season.
The Panthers enter postseason play having allowed just 17 goals through 16 matches.

SCOUTING THE ORANGE

Syracuse enters Wednesday's matchup as the No. 13 seed in the ACC Tournament after finishing the regular season 7-7-2 overall and 1-5-2 in conference play. The Orange closed the regular season with a 2-1 loss to Virginia Tech.
Syracuse averages 1.56 goals per game and has outshot its opponents by an average of 15.5-9.6 per game.
Bryson Rodriguez leads the Orange with five goals and 12 points. Kristjan Fortier and Pedro Gulli are tied for second on the team with eight points apiece.
Goalkeeper Juan Martinez-Bastidas has posted a .812 save percentage, a 0.82 goals-against average and five shutouts this season.

WHERE TO WATCH