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Pitt men's soccer rises to No. 1 in nation for 1st time in program history | TribLIVE.com
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Pitt men's soccer rises to No. 1 in nation for 1st time in program history

Jerry DiPaola
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Pitt athletics
Pitt soccer players Valentin Noel (8), Bryce Washington (4), Alexander Dexter (13) and Veljko Petkovic (19) celebrate during an early-season match during the 2020 season.

The undefeated Pitt men’s soccer team ascended to No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches poll Tuesday, reaching the milestone for the first time in program history.

The Panthers (4-0, 3-0 ACC) were No. 2 nationally for three weeks before recording their second victory against a top-five team Sunday, beating then-No. 5 Virginia, 3-2, in overtime.

Earlier this season, Pitt defeated Notre Dame, 3-1. The Irish were ranked No. 5 at the time.

Led by fifth-year coach Jay Vidovich, the soccer team is the first from Pitt to earn a No. 1 national ranking in a major poll since men’s basketball Feb. 23, 2009. Jamie Dixon’s team was voted No. 1 in The Associated Press poll three times that year. Men’s soccer and basketball and football (in six seasons) are the only Pitt teams to be ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Pitt soccer began the season No. 4 before it defeated Notre Dame and Virginia in road games. The Panthers visit Louisville on Friday for one of their three remaining regular-season games.

Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.

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