Pitt Men’s Soccer lands Dayton transfer defender Casper Svendby

Pitt men’s soccer continues to add player to the roster ahead of the 2024 spring season, announcing the addition of a Dayton transfer defender on Tuesday.

Casper Svendby committed to the program, which Pitt announced on social media, writing “Adding a talented piece to our defense 💪 Welcome to the 4️⃣1️⃣2️⃣.”

Adding a talented piece to our defense 💪

Welcome to the 4️⃣1️⃣2️⃣, Casper‼️#H2P pic.twitter.com/qvKjgGk1MA

— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) January 30, 2024

Svendby played for Dayton the past two seasons, starting 36 of 37 games and playing over 3,176 minutes. He scored two goals and created three assists, along with starting all 17 games in his first season, earning himself A-10 All-Rookie Team honors.

He would continue to excel last season, starting 19 of 20 games, leading Dayton to the A-10 title, defeating Loyola Chicago, Davidson and VCU all on the road to lift the trophy. They would play against Louisville in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament and Svendby scored the second goal in a thriller that ended in a 4-3 defeat.

Svendby featured at left-back for the Flyers most often, but also plays centre-back too. He has good pace, likes to go forward to create on the attack and isn’t afraid to go score himself.

He hails from Norway, making him the second on Pitt men’s roster along with rising sophomore forward Albert Thorsen. The two both come from the same city of Drammen as well, hinting at a possible connection between the two.

Svendby is the second addition to Pitt in the past two days, as they announced the signing of Indiana midfielder Logan Oliver on Monday. 

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.

Only one player has transferred out of Pitt so far this offseason, in sophomore defender Abraham Brown, who has left for California-Irvine. 

Pitt Men’s Soccer Roster 2024/Incomings + Goings

Graduate: 1 year of eligibility 
Midfielder Felipe Mercado

Senior: 1 year of eligibility
Midfielder Michael Sullivan
Midfielder Guilherme Fetiosa
Midfielder Luka Kozomara
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 Ferreira
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

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)

Transfer
Defender Abraham Brown (California-Irvine)