Hamburg, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's soccer team hit the road on Tuesday for a matinee AMCC matchup at Hilbert. The Panthers scored in the first minute of play but ultimately fell to the Hawks 3-2.
The game got off to a blistering start as the Panthers needed only 28 seconds to open the scoring. After goalkeeper Jared Scarlett gained control of the ball, he sent a punt towards midfield, it was headed on to Spencer Sklar who raced towards the ball behind the defense. Sklar was able to touch a shot onto the onrushing goalkeeper with the rebound finding Austin Hogan, who controlled and calmly passed the ball into the open net for a 1-0 lead. Sklar collided with the keeper on the play, was injured, and was unable to return to play. The momentum did not stay with the Panthers for long, however, as Hilbert struck back right away. On the kickoff, the Panther defense was unable to clear the ball and collided with an attacker on the edge of the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the hosts. Scarlett was able to make the initial save on the penalty, but the rebound came right back to the shooter, who was able to score off the rebound.
The Hawks took advantage of poor defending on a free kick in the 10th minute to take the lead. After a foul near midfield, the resulting free kick was headed down in the box by a Hilbert attacker, right to an unmarked winger who easily scored. Both teams shared half chances for the remainder of the half but were unable to add to the scoring, sending the game to the break with Hilbert leading 2-1.
After the break, the Panthers got on the front foot, taking the first three shots toward goal, but it was the HAwks that would break through to push their advantage to 2. The Panthers failed to defend another set piece as the Hawks were able to win a header on a corner kick, which found the corner of the goal. Pitt-Bradford was able to halve the deficit just 4 minutes later. Lysandre Chaabi sent a curling pass into the box from the right flank. It eluded two defenders and Hogan, but was controlled by Devin Stowe on the back post. Stowe calmly collected the pass and slid a left footed shot past the keeper for the goal. The Panthers continued their attack over the final 20 minutes of play, but were unable to put any shots on goal.
Austin Hogan's goal was his 3rd of the season, and the fastest of the year for the Panthers. He finished with two shots. Devin Stowe's second half strike was also his 3rd goal of the season. He tallied 3 shots, with just the one on target. Lysandre Chaabi and Evan Baldwin took 4 shots each, but were unable to find the target. Jared Scarlett made 3 saves in the game.
The Panthers fall to 2-10 on the season with a 1-2 record in AMCC play. They will look to right the ship over the weekend as they host Pitt-Greensburg on Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Kessel Athletic Complex.
