Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer

Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer
Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer
Founded	1954; 71 years ago
University	University of Pittsburgh
Head coach	Jay Vidovich (8th season)
Conference	ACC
Stadium	Ambrose Urbanic Field ; (Capacity: 735)
Nickname	Panthers
Colors	Blue and gold;
Home	Away
NCAA Tournament College Cup
	2020, 2022
NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals
	1962, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
NCAA Tournament Round of 16
	1965, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
NCAA Tournament Round of 32
	1965, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
NCAA Tournament appearances
	1962, 1965, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Conference Regular Season championships
	1981, 1985, 2024
Conference Division championships
	2020-21, 2021

Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's soccer (association football) team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's soccer competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and plays their home games at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the university's Petersen Sports Complex. Pitt soccer players have had eight selections as All-Americans and multiple former Panthers have gone on to play professionally. The Panthers have appeared in seven NCAA tournaments and have reached the College Cup twice. The Panthers have been coached by Jay Vidovich since 2015.

History

The Pitt men's soccer program has it origins in 1951 when Leo Bemis, who was then serving as Pitt's director of men's intramural sports,^[2] created a pick-up team at the university which played Slippery Rock University to a 1–1 draw.^[3] Through 1953, Bemis continued coaching the team which competed intercollegiately as a non-varsity club sport.^[4] However, Bemis was able to convince then Pitt athletic director Tom Hamilton to elevate the club team to varsity status in 1954.^[3] Despite starting with no scholarships^[5] and no feeder system in place to recruit players,^[3] Pitt's first team went 8–1 in 1954,^[6] and by 1955, the program had its first All-American selection, Jerome Bressanelli.^[3] For the first 20 years of the program, Pitt played their games at various facilities including Trees Field, Forbes Field, Kennard Field in the lower Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh,^[7] and even various high schools, with occasional games played at Pitt Stadium, which at the time was primarily reserved for Pitt's football team.^[8]

In 1961, the soccer program received funding to provide its first scholarships,^[3] and in 1962, Pitt earned its first bid to the NCAA soccer championship tournament, where it lost to Maryland, 3–4.^[9] Pitt again qualified for the NCAA soccer tournament championship in 1965, but lost 0–2 on a late goal to East Stoudsburg in game played in muddy conditions at Pitt Stadium.^[3] Beginning in 1970, Pitt began play in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Soccer Conference (also known as the West Penn Intercollegiate Soccer Conference, or WPISC),^[10] a conference that Leo Bemis helped to found and in which he would eventually lead Pitt to a conference championship in 1981.^[3]^[11] When Pitt Stadium had artificial turf installed in 1970 and flood lighting installed in 1973, the soccer team began regularly playing its home games in the stadium, which remained its home through the 1990s.^[8]

After a 30-year tenure as head coach, Bemis was succeeded in 1984 by Joe Luxbacher, a former standout player and captain for the program who also served as an assistant under Bemis.^[12] Pitt moved from the West Penn conference to the Big East Conference for the 1985 season.^[13] In that first season in the Big East, Pitt finished atop the Big East South Division with an undefeated 4–0 record^[14] and appeared in the 1985 Big East Tournament where they lost their first game eventual Big East tournament champion Syracuse. Pitt followed that with a second place in the South Division in 1986. Pitt would also finish second in the regular season conference standings in 1992 and 1995, years when the Big East was not broken into divisions, with Luxbacher winning Big East Coach of the Year in each of those seasons.^[15] While a member of the Big East, Pitt would advance to the Big East soccer tournament six times, including in 1995, when an injury riddled team^[16] set a program record for number of wins, including victories over 11th-ranked St. John's and fourth-ranked Rutgers.^[8] The 1995 team lost in the Big East tournament championship game to St. John's,^[15] but finished the season ranked 22nd in the nation in the final Coaches' Poll.^[17]

Pitt soccer at Georgetown in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament

Following the demolition of Pitt Stadium in 1999, the soccer team moved its games to various locations, but primarily played home games at Founder's Field in Harmarville, Pennsylvania, an off-campus venue.^[18] The program returned to campus when it moved into the Petersen Sports Complex, which houses the Ambrose Urbanic Field soccer facility, in the spring of 2011.^[19] Ambrose Urbanic Field, which serves as both the practice and competition venue for the Pitt soccer team, contains 735 seats and a FIFA-certified "Duraspine" pitch.^[20] The first game held at the soccer facility was an exhibition played by the men's team against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on March 20, 2011.^[21] The team also uses the on-campus Cost Sports Center for indoor practice during inclement weather.^[22]

In 2013, Pitt moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), bringing the Panthers into another historically strong league with 15 national championships in men's soccer.^[23] Luxbacher retired as coach following the 2015 season.^[24] Jay Vidovich, a former national collegiate coach of the year, was hired as Pitt's head soccer coach in 2015,^[25] and has led Pitt to top 25 rankings,^[26] five NCAA tournament appearances, and two College Cups.^[27]

Players

Current squad

As of 12 Sep 2024^[28]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
0	GK	USA	Cabral Carter
2	DF	USA	Jackson Gilman
4	DF	ESP	Daniel Gamboa
5	DF	SUI	Niklas Soerensen
6	MF	USA	Logan Oliver
7	MF	ESP	Miguel Bertran
8	MF	COL	Felipe Mercado
9	FW	NOR	Albert Thorsen
10	MF	BRA	Guilherme Feitosa
11	MF	DEN	Casper Grening
12	DF	FRA	Mateo Maillefaud
13	DF	USA	Noah Hall
14	MF	ESP	Arnau Vilamitjana
15	FW	USA	Zahir Dyke
16	FW	GER	Tim Baierlein


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
17	FW	USA	Luis Sahmkow
18	MF	USA	Joshua Veychek
19	DF	USA	Mason Dancy
20	MF	USA	Mateo Stoka
21	DF	NOR	Casper Svendby
21	FW	DEN	Lasse Dahl
23	FW	USA	Massimo Murania
25	FW	USA	Eben McIntyre
26	MF	USA	Michael Sullivan
27	FW	USA	Alex Hauskrecht
28	MF	USA	Santiago Ferreira
29	DF	USA	Owen Christopher
31	GK	USA	Jack Moxom
32	GK	USA	Cooper Sisson

Current professionals

Updated January 31, 2024

Josh Coan (2016–2017) – Currently with Sporting Kansas City II
Robby Dambrot (2017–2018) – Currently with Loudoun United
Pierre Mané (2017–2018) – Currently with Lexington SC
Edward Kizza (2017–2019) – Currently with Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Shane Wiedt (2018) – Currently with Sacramento Republic
Johan Peñaranda (2018–2019) – Currently with Northern Colorado Hailstorm
Arturo Ordoñez (2019–2021) – Currently with Louisville City
Veljko Petković (2019–2021) – Currently with Minnesota United FC 2
Bryce Washington (2019–2021) – Currently with North Carolina FC
Valentin Noël (2019–2022) – Currently with Austin FC II
Nico Campuzano (2020–2021) – Currently with Lexington SC
Jasper Löffelsend (2020–2021) – Currently with Colorado Rapids
Bertin Jacquesson (2020–2022) – Currently with Real Monarchs
Mohammed Abualnadi (2021–2022) – Currently with Al-Hussein
Joe van der Sar (2021–2022) – Currently with Koninklijke HFC
Yanis Leerman (2022) – Currently with Loudoun United

Coaching staff

Current technical staff

Position	Staff
Athletic director	Heather Lyke
Head coach	Jay Vidovich
Assistant coach	Bryce Cregan
Assistant coach	Josh Oldroyd
Assistant coach	Zack Schilawski

All-time head coaches

As of January 27, 2023 ^[29]

Nat.	Name	Period	Pl.	W	L	D	Honours	Notes
USA	Leo Bemis	1954–1983	355	166	163	26
USA	Joe Luxbacher	1984–2015	560	224	267	69	1992 Big East Coach of the Year 1995 Big East Coach of the Year	^[30]
USA	Jay Vidovich	2015–present	182	95	68	19	2020 ACC Coach of the Year 2021 ACC Coach of the Year	^[31]^[32]

Awards and honors

All-Americans

Pitt has had seven different players and nine all-time All-American selections.^[33]

1955 Jerome Bressanelli, halfback
1956 Jerome Bressanelli, halfback
1958 Ronald Wyatt, fullback
1959 Ronald Wyatt, fullback
1959 George Zanicoupolous, goalkeeper
1962 Paul Liberati, left halfback
1963 Dave Reichenbach, outside left
1965 George N.J. Sommer, III, left halfback
2020 Valentin Noel, midfielder
2021 Jasper Löeffelsend, defender

Big East honors

Pitt played soccer as a member of the Big East Conference from 1985 to 2012. During this time, Pitt's Joe Luxbacher won the Big East Coach of the Year award twice, Ben Garry was named to the Big East All-Rookie team, and Pitt had seven other All-Big East Team selections.^[15] Players all garnered multiple Big East Scholar-Athlete Awards with over 100 players being named Big East Academic All-Stars.^[34]

Coach of the Year^[15]

Joe Luxbacher, 1992, 1995

All-Rookie Team^[15]

Ben Garry, 1997

All-Big East Team selections^[15]

Charlie Wasson, B, Second Team, 1993

Jeff Porter, M, Second Team, 1995

Chris Churchill, B, Second Team, 2000

Ben Gary, M, Second Team, 2000

Justin Gaul, GK, Third Team, 2002

Keeyan Young, F, Second Team, 2003, 2004

Scholar-Athlete Award winners^[15]

Peter Veltri, 2001-02

Jacob Kring, 2004-05

Thomas DeCato, 2005-06

Brendon Smith, 2006-07

Matt Baker, 2009-10

ACC Honors

In 2013, Pittsburgh began play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Panthers did not receive an all-conference award until 2020, when they won five out of the six all-conference awards.

ACC Coach of the Year

Jay Vidovich, 2020, 2021, 2024^[32]^[35]

Offensive Player of the Year

Valentin Noel, 2020^[32]

Defensive Player of the Year

Jasper Löeffelsend, 2020, 2021^[32]

Casper Svendby, 2024^[35]

Freshman of the Year

Bertin Jacquesson, 2020^[32]

References

^ "Color Palette". Pitt Athletics Brand Identity Manual (PDF). February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
^ Caldwell Jr., John T., ed. (1955). "Athletic Department". The 1955 Owl. The Students of the University of Pittsburgh. p. 318. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Vargo, Norm (1982). "Leo Bemis Behind Soccer From the Start at Pitt". In O'Brien, Jim (ed.). Hail to Pitt: A Sports History of the University of Pittsburgh. Wolfson Publishing Co. pp. 232–235. ISBN 0-916114-08-2.
^ Spurock, Charles, ed. (1954). "Soccer". The 1954 Owl. University of Pittsburgh. p. 330. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Jordan, Jimmy (September 26, 1958). "Pitt Soccer Coach Looks Ahead Despite Lack of Scholarships". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 18. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Caldwell Jr., John T., ed. (1955). "Soccer". The 1955 Owl. The Students of the University of Pittsburgh. p. 337. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Jordan, Jimmy (November 22, 1956). "Pitt Soccer Team has United Nations Flavor". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 43. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c Heilman, Sean (2000). "Soccer". In Sciullo, Jr., Sam (ed.). Pitt Stadium Memories 1925–1999. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh. pp. 44–50. ASIN B0006RFHJQ.
^ NCAA Men's Division I Championship Brackets (PDF). NCAA.org. 2011. pp. 3–5. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ "Soccer Stars Collide at Pitt". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. November 21, 1976. p. D-4. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Wheatley, Tom (September 16, 1982). "Pitt's Soccer Coach Sends Program on a Youth Kick". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. p. S-14. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ "Luxbacher succeeds Bemis". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. February 16, 1984. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Dangelo, Paul (June 14, 1984). "Luxbacher tackles job of rebuilding Pitt soccer program". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette South. Vol. 5, no. 13. p. 12. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Varley, Teresa (1986). "Teamwork is the Key". 1986 Panther Prints. University of Pittsburgh. p. 255. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Naggar, Sara (2012). 2012 Big East Men's Soccer Media Guide. Big East Conference. pp. 47–57. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Anderson, Shelly (November 2, 1995). "Pitt soccer team fails in first shot at mark". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ "Final Coaches' Polls". 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2013. p. 16. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^ DiPaola, Jerry (August 23, 2010). "Pitt sports complex to be ready next spring". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ DiPaola, Jerry (April 7, 2011). "Pitt antes up on facilities for other university sports". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^ The Olympic Sports Complex: Only Big Dreams (PDF), University of Pittsburgh, 2009, retrieved 2010-05-03
^ "Men's Soccer Sees First Action At Petersen Sports Complex". PittsburghPanthers.com. 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2011-03-21.
^ Hotchkiss, Greg, ed. (2012). 2012-13 Pitt Commons Section. University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics Media Relations Office. p. C26. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ Vella, Jeff (August 21, 2013). "Pitt soccer prepares for rigors of ACC". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^ "Joe Luxbacher Retires as Pitt Men's Soccer Coach". PittsburghPanthers.com. November 3, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
^ "Barnes Taps Vidovich As New Pitt Men's Soccer Coach". PittsburghPanthers.com. December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
^ "Top 25 NCAA DI Men — National - Poll 11". United Soccer Coaches. November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
^ "Pitt is in! Panthers earn at-large bid to NCAA tournament, will host Lehigh in first Round on Thursday". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
^ "2023 Men's Soccer Roster". pittsburghpanthers.com. University of Pittsburgh Athletics.
^ "Pitt Soccer Records & History" (PDF). University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
^ "Joe Luxbacher Profile". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
^ "Jay Vidovich Profile". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "2020 All-ACC Men's Soccer Team Announced". theacc.com. The Atlantic Coast Conference. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
^ Pitt Soccer Records & History (PDF). University of Pittsburgh Athletic Media Relations Office. 2013. p. 7. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^ 2011-12 Pitt Men's Soccer History (PDF). University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ ^a ^b "2024 All-ACC Men's Soccer Team Announced". theacc.com. The Atlantic Coast Conference. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.

External links

Official website

[1] "Color Palette". Pitt Athletics Brand Identity Manual (PDF). February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2024.

[2] Caldwell Jr., John T., ed. (1955). "Athletic Department". The 1955 Owl. The Students of the University of Pittsburgh. p. 318. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[O'Brienbook-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Vargo, Norm (1982). "Leo Bemis Behind Soccer From the Start at Pitt". In O'Brien, Jim (ed.). Hail to Pitt: A Sports History of the University of Pittsburgh. Wolfson Publishing Co. pp. 232–235. ISBN 0-916114-08-2.

[4] Spurock, Charles, ed. (1954). "Soccer". The 1954 Owl. University of Pittsburgh. p. 330. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[5] Jordan, Jimmy (September 26, 1958). "Pitt Soccer Coach Looks Ahead Despite Lack of Scholarships". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 18. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[6] Caldwell Jr., John T., ed. (1955). "Soccer". The 1955 Owl. The Students of the University of Pittsburgh. p. 337. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[7] Jordan, Jimmy (November 22, 1956). "Pitt Soccer Team has United Nations Flavor". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 43. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[PittStadiumbook-8] Heilman, Sean (2000). "Soccer". In Sciullo, Jr., Sam (ed.). Pitt Stadium Memories 1925–1999. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh. pp. 44–50. ASIN B0006RFHJQ.

[9] NCAA Men's Division I Championship Brackets (PDF). NCAA.org. 2011. pp. 3–5. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[10] "Soccer Stars Collide at Pitt". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. November 21, 1976. p. D-4. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[11] Wheatley, Tom (September 16, 1982). "Pitt's Soccer Coach Sends Program on a Youth Kick". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. p. S-14. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[Lux-12] "Luxbacher succeeds Bemis". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. February 16, 1984. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[13] Dangelo, Paul (June 14, 1984). "Luxbacher tackles job of rebuilding Pitt soccer program". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette South. Vol. 5, no. 13. p. 12. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[14] Varley, Teresa (1986). "Teamwork is the Key". 1986 Panther Prints. University of Pittsburgh. p. 255. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[BEMediaGuide-15] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Naggar, Sara (2012). 2012 Big East Men's Soccer Media Guide. Big East Conference. pp. 47–57. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[16] Anderson, Shelly (November 2, 1995). "Pitt soccer team fails in first shot at mark". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[17] "Final Coaches' Polls". 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2013. p. 16. Retrieved August 27, 2013.

[18] DiPaola, Jerry (August 23, 2010). "Pitt sports complex to be ready next spring". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[19] DiPaola, Jerry (April 7, 2011). "Pitt antes up on facilities for other university sports". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 27, 2013.

[OSCbrochure-20] The Olympic Sports Complex: Only Big Dreams (PDF), University of Pittsburgh, 2009, retrieved 2010-05-03

[21] "Men's Soccer Sees First Action At Petersen Sports Complex". PittsburghPanthers.com. 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2011-03-21.

[22] Hotchkiss, Greg, ed. (2012). 2012-13 Pitt Commons Section. University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics Media Relations Office. p. C26. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[23] Vella, Jeff (August 21, 2013). "Pitt soccer prepares for rigors of ACC". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 27, 2013.

[24] "Joe Luxbacher Retires as Pitt Men's Soccer Coach". PittsburghPanthers.com. November 3, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.

[25] "Barnes Taps Vidovich As New Pitt Men's Soccer Coach". PittsburghPanthers.com. December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.

[26] "Top 25 NCAA DI Men — National - Poll 11". United Soccer Coaches. November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.

[27] "Pitt is in! Panthers earn at-large bid to NCAA tournament, will host Lehigh in first Round on Thursday". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.

[auto-28] "2023 Men's Soccer Roster". pittsburghpanthers.com. University of Pittsburgh Athletics.

[29] "Pitt Soccer Records & History" (PDF). University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved July 12, 2013.

[30] "Joe Luxbacher Profile". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved July 12, 2013.

[31] "Jay Vidovich Profile". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 4, 2015.

[acc2020-32] "2020 All-ACC Men's Soccer Team Announced". theacc.com. The Atlantic Coast Conference. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.

[33] Pitt Soccer Records & History (PDF). University of Pittsburgh Athletic Media Relations Office. 2013. p. 7. Retrieved August 27, 2013.

[34] 2011-12 Pitt Men's Soccer History (PDF). University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

[acc2024-35] "2024 All-ACC Men's Soccer Team Announced". theacc.com. The Atlantic Coast Conference. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.

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Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer

History

Players

Current squad

Current professionals

Coaching staff

Current technical staff

All-time head coaches

Awards and honors

All-Americans

Big East honors

ACC Honors

References

External links

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