PITTSBURGH – Second year student at the University of Pittsburgh Deborah Abiodun and Seniors Sarah Schupansky were named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I midfield roster, the organization announced Friday. The senior was one of 26 midfielders selected for the preseason.

Abiodun, a sophomore, started 19 of 24 games last season and played 1,424 minutes. She scored 15 points on six goals and three assists – including the game-winning goal against Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Oyo, Nigeria native has had an extensive freshman career, earning a spot on the All-ACC Third Team and Freshmen Team, the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Team and the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Freshmen Team for her performances last season.

The senior Schupanksy started 22 of a record-breaking 24 games during the 2023 season, playing 1,633 minutes in total. She tied for the most goals on her team with 11 goals on the season. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native currently holds the single-season points record after scoring those 11 goals and 14 assists for a total of 36 points. She earned numerous accolades last season, including United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American Second Team, CSC Academic All-American, All-ACC First Team Top Drawer Soccer Best XI Second Team, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Second Team, as well as a Top Drawer Soccer post-season ranking where she finished 13th.

The Pitt women’s soccer team, ranked No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, is coming off its best season in program history after advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight and the ACC Championship semifinals for the first time. Pitt earned a top-25 ranking in eight of the 11 weeks of the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll during the 2023 season. The Panthers finished the 2023 season ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings with a 17-win season, finishing the season 17-6-1 with an ACC record of 6-3-1. Pitt set program records for most total wins (17), ACC wins (6), home wins (9), points (194), goals (64) and assists (68). The Panthers posted wins over Duke and North Carolina in the regular season, beating both for the first time in program history.

Pitt hosts Michigan in its final exhibition game of the season this Saturday, August 10th at 5:00 p.m. at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Pitt opens its regular season on the road at Georgia on Thursday, August 15th.

United Soccer Coach
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2024 NCAA Division I Watch List – Midfielder