Pitt’s Valentin Noel becomes first in program history to earn First Team Scholar All-American honors

Pitt's Valentin Noel in action at College Cup vs Indiana on December 9, 2022. Photo courtesy Peyton Sickles

From University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department report

The honors continued to roll in for Pitt men’s soccer senior forward Valentin Noel as he was named United Soccer Coaches First Team Scholar All-American, as announced by the organization on Friday morning. Noel was one of 33 student-athletes recognized for their academic and athletic achievements.

Noel is the first Scholar All-American in program history while also being one of just three honorees from the ACC on the prestigious list.

To qualify as a scholar All-American, student-athletes must be a junior or above at their institution in academic standing. They must also have started more than 75 percent of all games played and been a significant contributor to their team. Student-athletes must also have a cumulative grade point average of a 3.4 or better on a 4.0 scale for their career.

Noel, a finance major with a 3.419 GPA, was named First Team Scholar All-American after leading the Panthers on and off the field this season. The Niort, France native was dynamic for the Panthers this season as he led the Panthers and ranked second in the ACC in goals (12) while also leading the squad and ranking tied for third in the conference in points (25). Noel turned up his play in the postseason as he posted four goals and eight points in five matches as the Panthers knocked off Cleveland State, #16 Akron, #1 Kentucky and Portland before falling in the College Cup to #13 Indiana.

The Frenchman opened the season with goals in three straight games and a point in four straight games as Pitt knocked off a pair of top-10 opponents to start the season. Midway through the campaign, Noel posted a season-long five game point streak as Pitt went 2-1-2 in the stretch while playing four ranked opponents.

Noel will go down as one of the best to wear a Pitt jersey as he wraps up his career ranked second in program history in goals (35) and third in points (83). The senior also led all active ACC players this year in career shots (171), points (83) and goals (35).

The senior was named Third Team All-American last week as he closes out his career as one of two Panthers to earn All-American recognition twice. He also earned First Team All-South Region earlier this year, marking his third straight season earning the recognition and being the first Panther in program history to be honored three times.

For the full list of United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Americans, click HERE.

Noel helped the Panthers secure their second trip to the College Cup in three seasons last weekend as Pitt posted a 12-5-5 overall record on the year. Noel was part of the most successful class in program history as the Panthers were 51-22-9 over his illustrious career in Oakland including an impressive 30-4-5 mark at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Noel will now turn his attention to the 2023 MLS SuperDraft which takes place Wednesday, December 21.

The forward is expected to be selected in the draft.

Since head coach Jay Vidovich took over the program seven years ago, Pitt has seen five players selected in the MLS Draft including four of Noel’s former teammates (Javi Perez, Edward Kizza, Arturo Ordoñez, Jasper Löeffelsend).