Early Highlights
The Pittsburgh soccer landscape is buzzing as six Division I programs — Pitt, Duquesne, and Robert Morris — have begun their non‑conference slates, each looking to fine‑tune tactics before the bulk of the season arrives.
Pitt’s men opened with a narrow 2‑1 defeat at Maryland, yet the team displayed the possession‑heavy approach coach Dave Brandt has been cultivating, and newcomer Mamadou Tall made an immediate impression as a central target in the attack.
The women’s side answered back strongly, outshooting their opponents in three straight games and securing a 2‑1 victory over Loyola Marymount thanks to relentless pressure and clutch finishing.
Duquesne’s women continued the momentum with a 3‑0 clean‑sheet win over Cleveland State, a performance highlighted by goalkeeper Ali Hughes’ command of the backline and three goals coming from set‑piece situations.
On the men’s side, Duquesne’s goalkeeper Sam Coss earned a 0‑0 draw against Lafayette, showcasing his resilience and leadership despite a lack of goals.
Robert Morris’ men fought valiantly in a late penalty save against Drexel, a moment that under coach Jon Potter could signal the program’s rise as Horizon League contenders.
The women’s team from Robert Morris responded with a 3‑1 triumph over Cleveland State, driven by clinical set‑piece execution and contributions from Madison Sievering and Ava Trethewey.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC are gearing up for a grueling road trip that includes matches against Brooklyn FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a stretch that will test their depth.
Adding to the local soccer calendar, the JRK Memorial Classic will take place August 28‑30 at Pine‑Richland High School, featuring high school powerhouses such as Winchester Thurston, Kiski Area North Catholic, and Bethel Park.
Looking ahead, Pitt’s men will host Bucknell on Monday before a Big Ten showdown with Penn State on Friday, while the women travel to Santa Clara, a team that previously beat them and is already earning early United Soccer Coaches poll votes.
Other marquee fixtures include Pitt versus Michigan State on Friday and RMU versus St. Bonaventure on the same night, promising heightened competition as the season unfolds.