Panthers Knock Off #1 Kentucky To Advance To Third Straight Elite Eight

LEXINGTON, KY – The magical run for Pitt men’s soccer team (11-4-5, 3-2-3 ACC) continues as the Panthers knocked off previously unbeaten and #1 overall seed Kentucky Sunday night on the road in the NCAA Championship Third Round, 2-1. With the win, Pitt advances to their third straight NCAA Quarterfinal match next weekend.

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Bertin Jacquesson nets a man down goal late to send us to our THIRD straight Elite Eight ????#H2P pic.twitter.com/mbtkV8s6JV

— Pitt Men’s Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) November 28, 2022

 
After Henrique Gallina was assessed a questionable red card in the 79^th minute, the Panthers continued to press on looking for the game-winning goal and in the 87^th minute, Bertin Jacquesson answered that call for Pitt. The junior found some space outside the top of the box and ripped a shot past the diving keeper into the upper left corner of the net to give the Panthers the 2-1 lead. Josh Luchini picked up the assist on Jacquesson’s game-winning goal as the Panthers defense held tough and preserved the win.

87′ | GOAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!@BertinJacquess4 WITH THE LASER TO THE UPPER LEFT CORNER.

Pitt 2, #1 Kentucky 1#H2P pic.twitter.com/SPOOVUgpEn

— Pitt Men’s Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) November 28, 2022

 
The first half was tightly contested by both sides as the Wildcats earned the slim 5-4 edge in shots while the Panthers had two on goal to just one by Kentucky as the game was scoreless through 45 minutes.
 
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the 52^nd minute as Casper Grening buried a cross into the lower right corner of the Pitt goal.
 
Pitt came roaring back just over a minute later as Jackson Gilman headed a shot that was punched but not controlled by the Kentucky keeper and Valentin Noel was right there to volley the loose ball into the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1.
 
The Panthers started pressing for the go-ahead goal as Jacquesson had a great chance in the 67^th minute but his hard low shot just missed the left corner. Two minutes later, Jacquesson had another chance go just wide.
 
After Jacquesson netted the eventual game-winner in the 87^th minute, the Panthers defense secured the win as they wouldn’t allow the Wildcats to break through for the equalizer.
 
For the match, Kentucky held the 11-9…