Pittsburgh Panthers
men's soccer
2023 Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer team
Founded1954 (1954)
UniversityUniversity of Pittsburgh
Head coachJay Vidovich (8th season)
ConferenceACC
StadiumAmbrose Urbanic Field
(Capacity: 735)
NicknamePanthers
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
Home
Away
NCAA Tournament College Cup
2020, 2022
NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals
1962, 2020, 2021, 2022
NCAA Tournament Round of 16
1965, 2020, 2021, 2022
NCAA Tournament Round of 32
1965, 2020, 2021, 2022
NCAA Tournament appearances
1962, 1965, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Conference Regular Season championships
1981, 1985, 2020

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]

Pitt playing East Stoudsburg in muddy conditions in Pitt Stadium during the first round of the 1965 NCAA soccer tournament

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 January 27, 2023[28]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
0 GK United States USA Cabral Carter
1 GK Netherlands NED Joe van der Sar
2 DF United States USA Jackson Gilman
3 MF Brazil BRA Leonardo Andrade
4 DF Jordan JOR Mohammad Abualnadi
5 DF France FRA Yanis Leerman
6 MF Brazil BRA Lucas Rosa
7 MF Brazil BRA Guilherme Feitosa
8 MF France FRA Valentin Noel
10 FW France FRA Bertin Jacquesson
11 MF Brazil BRA Rodrigo Almeida
13 DF United States USA Noah Hall
14 DF United States USA Abraham Brown
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Italy ITA Ideal Shefqeti
16 DF Brazil BRA Henrique Gallina
17 FW United States USA Luis Sahmkow
19 FW United States USA Josh Luchini
20 MF United States USA Mateo Stoka
21 MF Serbia SRB Filip Mirkovic
22 MF France FRA Mathys Lefebvre
23 FW Germany GER Djavid Abdullatif
24 MF Switzerland SUI Jackson Walti
25 FW United States USA Eben McIntyre
26 MF United States USA Michael Sullivan
31 GK Austria AUT Kilian Vallant
32 GK United States USA Andrew Noel

Professional players

Pitt has had at least 22 former soccer players go on to play professionally.[29]

Panthers in the Pros
Name Team(s) Year(s)
Matt Baker Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Reading United A.C.		2010
2011-12[30]
Eric Barnes Pittsburgh Riverhounds2009
Reagen Bender Hershey Wildcats2001-02
Frank Bucci Connecticut Yankees
Pittsburgh Spirit
Denver Avalanche		1978[31]
1978-80
1980-81[31]
Pol Calvet Barcelona B
Deportivo B
Llagostera		2013-2016
2016
2016-2017
Josh Coan Chicago FC United
FC Tucson
North Carolina FC
Sporting Kansas City II		2019
2020
2021
2022
Robby Dambrot Virginia Beach City FC
Loudoun United FC
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Indy Eleven		2019
2019-2021
2022
2022
Alexander Dexter Loudoun United FC
Charleston Battery		2022
Ben Garry Pittsburgh Riverhounds2001-02
Bill Haines Pittsburgh Miners1975
Lee Johnston San Antonio FC
Richmond Kickers		2016-2018
2020
Edward Kizza New England Revolution
Pittsburgh Riverhounds		2021-2022
2023–present
Denny Kohlmeyer Pittsburgh Miners
Pittsburgh Stingers		1975
Asst. Coach 1994-95
Drew Kopp Hershey Wildcats1999-01
Travis Kruse Pittsburgh Riverhounds2000-01
Matt Langton Pittsburgh Riverhounds2008-09[32]
Daniel Lynd Rochester Rhinos
Pittsburgh Riverhounds		2016-2017
2018
Name Team(s) Year(s)
Jasper Löffelsend Real Salt Lake2022–present
Joe Luxbacher Philadelphia Atoms
Pittsburgh Miners
Pittsburgh Spirit		1974-75
1975-76
1977-78,[12] 1979-81
Phil Matilla Reading Rage2001
Mark Nigh[3] Pennsylvania Stoners1980[33]
Ted Noethling Pittsburgh Stingers1994
John O'Hara Pennsylvania Stoners
Pittsburgh Spirit
Cleveland Force		1978
1979-81
1980-81
Arturo Ordoñez Pittsburgh Riverhounds2022–present
Heinz Pak Pittsburgh Stingers1994
Johan Peñaranda Northern Colorado Hailstorm2022–present
Javi Pérez Los Angeles FC2019
Veljko Petković Minnesota United FC 22022–present
Eric Prex Pittsburgh Stingers

Detroit Neon

 1995

1996-1997

Bill Rex Pittsburgh Miners1975
Art Richardson Pittsburgh Canons
Pittsburgh Miners		1973
1975
Graham Smith Reading United
AGMK
Central FC
North Carolina FC		2014-2015
2016-2017
2017
2018-2020
Todd Smith Fort Wayne Flames1988[34]
Chandler Vaughn LA Galaxy II2022–present
Bryce Washington Atlanta United 2
Loudoun United		2021-2022
2023–present
Shane Wiedt Virginia Beach City
Loudoun United
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Sacramento Republic		2019
2019-2020
2021-2022
2023–present
Ref:[29] unless otherwise noted.

Coaching staff

Leo Bemis founded soccer as a varsity sport at Pitt

Current technical staff

Position Staff
Athletic directorHeather Lyke
Head coachJay Vidovich
Assistant coachMichael Behonick
Assistant coachBryce Cregan

Head coaches

As of January 27, 2023 [35]
NameNationalityFromToPWLDHonours
Leo Bemis United States 1954 1983 35516616326
Joe Luxbacher United States 1984 2015 56022426769 1992 Big East Coach of the Year
1995 Big East Coach of the Year [36]
Jay Vidovich United States 2015 Present 165896115 2020 ACC Coach of the Year
2021 ACC Coach of the Year		 [37][38]

Awards and honors

All-Americans

Pitt has had seven different players and nine all-time All-American selections.[39]

  • 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.[40]

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Color Palette". Pitt Athletics Brand Identity Manual (PDF). February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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.
  8. 1 2 3 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.
  12. 1 2 "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.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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.
  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.
  28. ↑ "2022 Men's Soccer Roster". pittsburghpanthers.com. University of Pittsburgh Athletics. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  29. 1 2 Pitt Soccer Records & History (PDF). University of Pittsburgh Athletic Media Relations Office. 2013. p. 8. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Reading United AC: Team Roster". USLSoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  31. 1 2 "Major Indoor Soccer League Players: Frank Bucci". Dave Morrison. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  32. ↑ "14 Matt Langton". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Oh, What A Nwokocha!". Pennsylvania Stoners Official Line-Up Card June 15, 1980. June 15, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  34. ↑ Dangelo, Paul (October 5, 1989). "Can Pitt soccer team help Mike Blatz reach his goal?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 18. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Pitt Soccer Records & History" (PDF). University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Joe Luxbacher Profile". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Jay Vidovich Profile". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 "2020 All-ACC Men's Soccer Team Announced". theacc.com. The Atlantic Coast Conference. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  39. ↑ Pitt Soccer Records & History (PDF). University of Pittsburgh Athletic Media Relations Office. 2013. p. 7. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  40. ↑ 2011-12 Pitt Men's Soccer History (PDF). University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
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