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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Hounds add two more recent college standouts, Toby Sims and Chase Vosvick

Photos courtesy Loyola University (MD) Athletics and Chowan University (NC) Athletics

After filling up his club’s 2022 roster with a strong returning cast along with some significant signings ahead of the preseason, Riverhounds SC and Head Coach Bob Lilley have been rounding out the squad with numerous recent college players.

The latest announced signings came on Friday, as the Riverhounds SC revealed two more players who have been with the club on trial this February, defender Toby Sims and goalkeeper Chase Vosvick, who have been signed to one-year contracts with a team option for 2023, pending USL and U.S. Soccer Federation approval.

Sims is a native of Tuxford, England, who played collegiately for Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. While in college, he was an All-Conference Carolinas selection all five seasons — four on the First Team. He was also a Third Team Division II All-American in 2019 and the Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, a season in which he led the team with 11 goals.

Sims was also selected as the USL League Two Defensive Player of the Year playing with SC United in 2021. Last season, SC United conceded only 18 goals in the 13 games Sims appeared in, and the team lost just two matches on the way to a Deep South Division title and League Two playoff berth.

“Toby is a player who takes pride in his defending but can also impact the game going forward. He is growing quickly with our group, and we are excited to see him contribute during the 2022 USL Championship season,” Lilley said.

Vosvick hails from Phoenix, Md. and was a standout goalkeeper in a five-year career with Loyola University (Md.). He was selected as the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year in four of his five seasons, earning Second Team All-Conference honors the remaining year.

In addition to the conference honors, he was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list ahead of his senior season. He finished his career with just 72 goals allowed in 73 games, and in 2021, he led Loyola to the Patriot League title and the NCAA Tournament, where the Greyhounds played North Carolina to a 0-0 draw before being eliminated on penalty kicks.

“Chase is a young keeper who works his tail off and will continue to get better because of his habits,” Lilley said. “His mindset is a good fit with our team, and we look forward to seeing his development in 2022.”

Both players have been training with the Hounds during this preseason, and their signings bring the total number of players under contract to 22 with two weeks until the March 12 season opener at Memphis 901 FC.

The Hounds will host Louisville City FC in their fourth preseason match at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Highmark Stadium. The game is open to the public, and admission is free.

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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