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A standout player who led his Norwin High School team to a District (WPIAL) championship, who plays with Beadling SC, Owen Christopher will join Pitt Panthers men’s soccer program beginning this Fall.
Beadling SC announced Christopher’s collegiate decision earlier Thursday on Twitter.
Congratulations to Owen Christopher of the 2005/06 NAL Boys team on his commitment to the University of Pittsburgh! Owen is a 2024 graduate. #ACC #H2P #GoPanthers #WearTheB pic.twitter.com/nZ3UjGco3u
— Beadling Soccer Club (@BeadlingSoccer) May 2, 2024
Scoring five goals and adding 13 assists in his senior campaign, Christopher added leadership intangibles to a squad that rose the occasion to win the district title despite being the number eight seed (out of eight teams), with upset wins over top-ranked Seneca Valley, then Fox Chapel and North Allegheny in a memorable WPIAL Final at Highmark Stadium last November.
Last Shall Be First: Norwin boys defy the odds to battle back for epic WPIAL Final shootout win vs North Allegheny
A post shared by Pittsburgh Soccer Now (@pittsburghsoccernow)
Christopher scored the game winner in the WPIAL semifinal match vs Fox Chapel and converted on a penalty kick in the WPIAL Final, earned all-section, All-WPIAL and all-state selection recognition in 2023.
Strong on the ball, an accurate passer and deadly accurate on set pieces, mostly played in the central and attacking midfield in high school, will join a roster that includes other former WPIAL standouts, including Michael Sullivan (Deer Lakes), Eben McIntyre (Charleroi) and Alex Hauskrecht (Winchester Thurston).
Pitt men’s soccer didn’t have as much success last season as they did in previous years, finishing 6-7-4 overall. They still made it to the NCAA Tournament, their fifth straight appearance, but lost in the First Round to James Madison. The loss ended a streak of three straight Elite Eight appearances and two College Cups during that time for Pitt.
Here’s the latest projected roster for Pitt as they head into the Fall 2024 campaign.
Graduate: 1 year of eligibility
Midfielder Felipe Mercado
Senior: 1 year of eligibility
Midfielder Michael Sullivan
Midfielder Guilherme Fetiosa
Midfielder Luka Kozomara
Midfielder Casper Grening (Kentucky)
Forward Luis Sahmkow
Forward Abdoulaye Toure
Defender Mateo Maillefaud
Junior: 2 years of eligibility
Midfielder Mateo Stoka
Defender Noah Hall
Defender Jackson Gillman
Defender Raphael Cilli
Defender Casper Svendby (Dayton)
Redshirt Sophomore: 3 years of eligibility
Forward Eben McIntyre
Goalkeeper Cabral Carter
Sophomore: 3 years of eligibility
GK Jack Moxom
GK Eli Mumford
GK Kyle Durham
Defender Ameer Abdullah
Forward Zahir Dyke
Forward Albert Thorsen
Forward Massimo Murania
Forward Alex Hauskrecht (Walk-On)
Midfielder Santiago Ferreiraran
Midfielder Logan Oliver (Indiana)
Freshman 4 years of eligibility
Mason Dancy
Players in:
Sophomore: 3 Years of eligibility
Midfielder Logan Oliver (Indiana)
Freshman: 4 years of eligibility
Mason Dancy
Owen Christopher
Players Out
Graduated
Midfielder Joao Souza
Midfielder Nick Blacklock
Defender Fabian Grau
Midfielder Mathys Lefebvre
Graduated/Entered MLS Super Draft
Midfielder Filip Mirkovic (Orlando City SC)
John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).
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