Box Score (PDF)

LANCASTER, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's soccer team fell at Lancaster Bible, 5-1, in its season premiere on Friday afternoon.

Ugwunna Amadi scored the lone Panther goal, beating his defender to a long pass from Jean Paul Diaz and finishing on the right side.

"Our inexperience showed in certain areas, and that led to some costly mistakes," Head Coach Nathan Whitehurst said. "Everyone will keep learning and improving as the season moves forward."

The two teams held strong through the first 18 minutes of action. 

The first scoring opportunity for the Panthers came on a shot from the right side just inside the box, but the ricochet went wide and Matthew Perry was unable to corral the ball and put a rebound strike on goal. 

Lancaster Bible then went on the counter, and a pass from the right side toward the middle of the box resulted in a strike in front of the net at the top of the box that rattled off the cross bar and ended in a goal kick for Pitt-Bradford. 

The Chargers later broke the silence at the 18:46 mark as Chad Tolson finished a low pass from Caleb Nelson past the Panthers keeper in the center of the net.

Lancaster Bible doubled its lead at the 27:30 mark as Kenny Akselsen found the ball midfield and fed Rama Mugisha in the box, who finished bottom right.

A third goal for the Chargers came off a header by Brandon Taylor at the 33:43 mark gave the Chargers an early three-goal lead.

But the Panthers would get on the board shortly after. 

Off a throw-in near midfield, Amadi passed the ball to Jean Paul Diaz, who then led Amadi with a one-touch ball downfield. The give-and-go prevailed, as Amadi went on the break and beat his defender to the ball and beat the keeper to the right side, giving the Panthers their first goal of the season. 

The Charger answered, though, scoring a goal in the closing minutes of the half that sent Lancaster Bible into the locker room ahead, 4-1.

The Panthers put together an offensive attack right at the start of the second half as Ryuta Hayakawa rifled a shot, but it went high.

A goal at the 54:32 mark for Lancaster Bible brought the score to the eventual final of 5-1. 

20 different Panthers saw time on the pitch today.

Pitt-Bradford fired off nine shots in the contest. Wyatt May, Ethan Acaster and Amadi ripped two apiece while T.J. Magro, Hayakawa and Noah Black shot one apiece. 

Derrick Brock saw his first collegiate time in goal, making the start and playing all 90 minutes for the Panthers. The sophomore made seven saves, five of which coming in the second half.

Pitt-Bradford will continue on its opening weekend road trip, heading to Penn State-Harrisburg for a 12 p.m. kickoff Saturday.