Tech hangs tight, ultimately falls 2-0 to No. 1 Pitt

BLACKSBURG – After a day-long postponement due to weather, No. 17 Virginia Tech battled with top-ranked Pitt, but ultimately fell 2-0 at Thompson Field on Saturday night.

Taking its home pitch for the first time since Sept. 5, Tech looked up for the matchup with the No. 1 Panthers, out-shooting them 15-7, but Pitt capitalized on its chances in the second half to pick up all three points.

An unfortunate flick from the head of Harrison Krieg on a corner kick put Pitt ahead in the 65^th minute, then the lead was doubled 12 minutes later when Casper Grening finished at close range after a ball came whizzing on the ground from the right side.

Despite the not converting its opportunities, Virginia Tech created a plethora of opportunities in both halves.

On several occasions, the Hokies dispossessed Pitt in the Panthers’ defensive third and attempted to quickly turn around goals. However, Pitt’s defense did well on each occasion to recover – forcing Tech into rushed shots.

One of those turnovers resulted in a corner in the 32^nd minute, which found the head of Declan Quill, who lifted the ball back across goal. Floki Stephensen rose up and flicked a header towards goal, however Pitt’s ‘keeper made a quick reaction save to keep the match scoreless.

Cooper Wenzel, who was called on a lot with his feet throughout the night, made his lone save of the night in the 38^th minute by scooping up a well-hit ball on the floor by Grening.

As seconds ticked down to close the first half, Marcos Escoe won a late corner that he was forced to take in the dwindling moments. His ball fell to Stephensen, who had space to hit a volley that just missed the frame of goal. The Hokies to a 7-2 shot advantage into halftime, while the score was still locked at 0-0.

Tech’s second half started with promise, as they found themselves continuing to put the ball in dangerous areas, but it was Pitt that opened the match up with a goal.

The 65^th-minute goal marked the second ACC fixture in a row that Tech conceded its first goal in the second half.

Despite the setback, the Hokies responded well and moments later Oliver Roche found himself going towards goal and forcing the Pitt goalie into a save. A couple minutes later, Ian Marcano rattled the crossbar with a left-footed effort while seeking an equalizer.

The Panthers put a damper on the momentum the Hokies were gathering a few minutes later with their second in the 77^th minute.

Virginia Tech failed to put a shot on goal following…