Beaver Falls, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's soccer team was on the road Wednesday, taking on Penn State-Beaver. The Panthers used star efforts from juniors Bailee Verdill and Brady Hathaway to defeat the Lions 5-0.
The Panthers started lightning quick, opening the scoring after just 85 seconds of play. Bailee Verdill stole the ball off the Penn State-Beaver defense and quickly moved into the final third. He moved into the box and fired a shot on goal that deflected off a defender and bounced into the net. The goal was Verdill's third of the year. The early goal did not slow Pitt-Bradford, as the Panther offense continued attacking the goal, putting four more shots on target over the next four minutes.
In the 24th minute, Brady Hathaway was finally able to get on the score sheet after 5 early shots. After Verdill deflected a corner kick into the 6-yard box, Hathaway reacted first to the loose ball, taking one touch and then heading it into the corner to double the advantage. The tally was also the junior forwards' 3rd of the year. Just a minute later, the Panther lead grew to three as Verdill scored his second of the game. Kyle Carlsen controlled a pass in the middle of the field and dribbled towards the right corner of the 18-yard box. As the defenders trailed him, Carlsen flicked a back heel pass to Verdill, who collected and fired to the near post, putting the Panthers up 3-0. The Panthers continued to push forward as the half ended, as they put four more shots on target in the last 8 minutes, but efforts by Brady Hillman, Connoer Rudsell, and Ward Kennedy were all saved.
After the restart, Pitt-Bradford continued where it left off. In the 48th, Verdill finished his first collegiate hat-trick to put the Panthers up 4-0. Andre Fratercangelo slipped a pass down the left flank for Hathaway, who was able to collect it on the break. Hathaway beat the full back on the end line, and hit a low cross into Verdill, who used one touch to tap a shot into the goal. The Panthers were able to add one final goal to their tally in the 63rd minute. Zander Parsons beat a Lion on the sideline and sent a pass behind the fullback for Hathaway. The Panther striker carried the ball into the box, cut back onto his right foot, and blasted a shot off the keeper into the corner for his second goal of the game. The Panthes made wholesale changes in the 70th minute, and had one final scoring chance. A Luke Griffin cross could not find a Panther in front of the net, but was tracked down on the opposite flank. Moises Ochoa-Castellon hit a pass back into the box, where Kojo Imbeah hit a one-time shot that went right to the keeper for the save.
The Panthers' five goals were the most they have scored in a match this season. Bailee Verdill led the way, scoring 3 times on 6 shots. It brings his season tally to 5, which leads the team. Brady Hathaway added two goals and an assist in the win. He tallied 9 shots, with five on target. He has 4 goals on the season. Kyle Carlsen also picked up an assist, while taking 5 shots with 3 on goal. Christopher House made 5 saves in the win, marking his 4th shutout of the season.
The victory moves the Panthers to 4-4-1 on the season. They will open up their AMCC slate on Saturday, as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on La Roche. They will play the second game of a doubleheader, and will kick off at approximately 4:00 p.m.
