PITTSBURGH – The men's soccer team took the University of Pittsburgh into double overtime this afternoon at Founders Field before the Big East member scored the game-winner off a scramble in front of the net to down the Bonnies, 2-1.

The Brown and White (1-1-0) got on the board first at the 27:14 mark of the first half when freshman Joshua Gonsalves played a through-ball to Fabrizio Savarino who crossed the ball on to Chris Leko's foot. Leko finished the play with his first goal of the young campaign, and Gonsalves earned his first career point, being credited with the secondary assist.

"It was a great goal," head coach Mel Mahler explained of his senior midfielder's tally. "Chris made a diagonal run across the box, hit it first time while running away from the goal and was able to just flick it over the keeper's head."

The Bonnies' lead remained intact until the 62nd minute when Pittsburgh's Justin Boehm one-timed a cross from Sam Luffy past netminder David Flynn to tie the contest at 1-1. The two teams tussled their way into the 106th minute before Olutomi Ibikunle netted the game-winner for Pittsburgh (2-0-0) off a corner kick and ensuing scramble in front of the net.

"The corner kick was just one of those situations where there were bodies flopping around everywhere; quite honestly it was a rugby scrum in the box," Mahler said. "It was just whoever was going to get to the ball first amongst all the pushing and shoving and fouling and we didn't. Their guy finished and that was the bottom line."

Mahler thought his team controlled the first half despite being outshot 5-3 and out-cornered 2-0, but said the second half is where his team lost the game, being outshot 8-2.

"We were just not a good soccer team in the second half; plain and simple," a stoic Mahler said. "Give credit to Pittsburgh. They pressured the ball and just wouldn't let us play our game."

The Bonnies next have a chance to play their game next Sunday at home against St. Francis (Pa.). Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at McGraw-Jennings Field.

NOTES: Leko's goal was just the second of his career at St. Bonaventure. The Elon transfer also scored two goals in his time with the Phoenix … Four yellow cards were issued: three to Pittsburgh and one to St. Bonaventure … This was the Bonnies' first double-overtime game since a 1-1 tie with Saint Joseph's on Oct. 10, 2008. In that same season, the Bonnies had four double-overtime games, including three straight.