CINCINNATI, Ohio – Todd Pratzner netted the game-winning goal off a restart with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game as Xavier handed Pittsburgh a 2-1 loss on Tuesday, Oct. 7 in non-conference action.

The loss snaps Pitt’s (3-5-3) four-game non-conference unbeaten streak and gave the Panthers just their second loss outside of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and first since Sept. 5. Xavier (7-3-1), meanwhile, stretched its unbeaten streak to five straight games. In the game, Xavier also conceded its first goal in the last five games and first at home since the season opener against Lipscomb, which tallied three goals.

“They’re (Xavier) a good team. I thought we battled and did some good things. But it’s very disappointing to lose the way we did on a set piece,” said head coach Joe Luxbacher. “Our guys battled. They showed some grit today that we hadn’t showed. Going forward I’m optimistic that we’re going to finish strong. It’s just a tough loss because they’re a good team, we’re away and we were in a position to win the game.”

Pratzner’s game-winning goal was assisted by Will Walker, who also recorded an assist less than five minutes into the game on Alex Ridsdale’s score. Walker now has a team-best six assists and 10 points for the Musketeers.

Pitt’s lone goal was credited as an own goal by Xavier after Patrick Dixon played a ball into the box, which ricocheted off Musketeers defensemen Cory Brown.

Xavier got off to a fast start, netting the opening goal just 4:30 into the game. It was the fastest goal Pitt has allowed all season. Ridsdale received a pass from Walker on the right side of the field and placed his shot to the far post by Panthers goalkeeper junior Dan Lynd to jump out to a 1-0 lead.

Before Pitt was able to get off its first and only shot of the half in the 18th minute, Xavier had the only two corner kicks of the half, but couldn’t amount to anything.

Lynd kept it a one-goal game going into the break with a pair of saves in the final 13 minutes of the opening half. His second stop came with just 3:20 remaining until the whistles blew when he made a diving save on Walker’s attempt.

The second half started off slow, but in the 57th minute the Panthers knotted the score with the help of Xavier’s defense. With Pitt applying some pressure in its own attacking zone, junior Kevin Fielden intercepted a pass and fed Dixon on the left side of the field. Dixon drove down to the baseline and sent the ball into the box, which deflected off Brown and into the back of the net for the equalizer.

For the next 20 minutes the score remained the same. However, each team had opportunities before Xavier eventually tallied the winner. Shortly after Pitt’s goal Dixon was back at it again. In the 61st minute he lofted a ball toward the net, but Xavier netminder Eric Osswald grabbed the shot out of midair. Brown also put a shot on goal on an off-balance shot in the box, forcing Lynd to make his third and final save of the night.

Following a take down near the top right of the box by the Panthers defense, Xavier was awarded a free kick in the 79th minute. On the restart, Walker sent a cross into the box where Pratzner headed the ball by Lynd to give the Musketeers the advantage again.

“Basically it was almost like a corner kick. It wasn’t like they did something we didn’t expect,” said Luxbacher. “Their guy (Pratzner) beat us to the ball and headed it in. That can’t happen when you’re matched up. Defensively you need to be first to the ball. You don’t even have to clear it cleanly. Just get to it before he does. And we didn’t. That one play decided the game.”

Sensing their backs against the wall Pitt racked up three shots during a three-minute span, which also included a corner kick during the barrage. The Panthers’ best opportunity came with exactly seven minutes to go when sophomore Kevin Murray decided to go top shelf, but Osswald punched it out of bounds.

Pitt contained the ball for most of the final minute, but couldn’t get another chance on goal.

The Musketeers finished the game with advantages in both shots (11-6) and corner kicks (4-1). Both goalkeepers, Lynd and Osswald, each made three saves on the night.

Pitt resumes ACC play on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. against Clemson.

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