
Pitt men’s soccer team earned a ranking of No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, as announced by the organization Tuesday.
Pitt opens the 2022 season with three top-15 opponents, including back-to-back top-10 teams in No. 2 Georgetown in the season opener Aug. 25 and No. 6 West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl in Pittsburgh Aug. 29. The Panthers’ first road test is at 2020 National Champion and No. 14 Marshall Sept. 2.
Pitt finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 13-5-2 and an ACC mark of 5-2-1. Pitt’s home record was one of the best in the country, going 11-1 at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The Panthers play 10 regular season homes games in 2022.
Returning to the squad for a fifth and final year are All-ACC Second Team recipients Jackson Walti and Rodrigo Almeida. Walti has been a catalyst at the center midfield position and tallied a goal, two assists and 15 shots in a team-best 1,862 minutes played a year ago. Almeida had a career year in 2021 with seven goals, six assists and 32 shots.
Also returning are All-ACC honorees Valentin Noel, Bertin Jacquesson and Guilherme Feitosa. Noel, a 2020 All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist, scored seven goals with five assists and 44 shots last season. Jacquesson showcased his shot and his passing abilities with seven goals, 11 assists and 43 shots, while Feitosa tallied five goals, six assists and 16 shots as a freshman.
For the full United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, click here.
