LAFAYETTE HILL, Pa. — The Pitt-Johnstown men's soccer team built a three-goal lead in the opening half before holding on late to secure a 4-2 season-opening victory over Chestnut Hill on Thursday night at Victory Field.
Four different players tallied goals for the Mountain Cats, who racked up 10 shots, eight of them on goal.
Junior Noah Pawling found the back of the net first in the seventh minute off a feed from senior Ryan Kyei Boahen to make it 1-0.
Freshman Jordan Taylor notched his first career goal in the 35th minute thanks to an assist from senior Jack Moyer to boost the lead to 2-0. Less than three minutes later, Moyer scored unassisted to give the Mountain Cats a 3-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Chestnut Hill responded with a pair of goals less than 10 minutes apart, one in the 60th minute and another in the 70th minute, to trim Pitt-Johnstown's lead to 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining in regulation.
However, sophomore Bernat Pujol gave the Mountain Cats some necessary breathing room down the stretch with an unassisted tally in the 77th minute.
In his first career start, freshman goalkeeper George Pasko accounted for nine saves.
Pitt-Johnstown will host Georgian Court (NJ) University in a non-conference match beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday.
