Pitt Men’s Soccer lands Kentucky Midfielder Casper Grening

Pitt men’s soccer continues to add to their team ahead of the 2024 spring schedule, announcing an incoming Kentucky transfer midfielder on Wednesday.

Casper Grening committed to the program, which Pitt men’s soccer on social media posted, “Another proven option on the front line 🎯. Welcome home, Casper❗️❗️”

Another proven option on the front line 🎯

Welcome home, Casper‼️#H2P pic.twitter.com/u2Nnp4OKbL

— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) January 31, 2024

Grening spent three seasons playing for Kentucky from 2021-23, starting 31 of 41 games, scoring 11 goals and making six assists in 2,376 minutes played.

His best season came as a sophomore in 2022, where he started all 21 games, scored 11 goals and created five assists leading to Sun Belt Second Team All-Conference honors. Grening’s play also led Kentucky to a 15-1-5 record (W-L-D) and the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky made it to the Sweet 16 that season, where they took on Pitt at home. Grening would score to give Kentucky the lead in that 52nd minute, but former Pitt midfielder Valentin Noel (2019-22) would level two minutes later and then former Pitt forward Bertin Jacquesson (2020-22) would win the match on a fantastic strike from far out in the 87th minute, putting them in their third straight Elite Eight.

He came into 2023 as the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, but had just one assist and no goals in 14 games played and nine started.

His best play comes as an attacking midfielder, with a strong shot and great stamina allowing him to move up and down the pitch with ease. He has one season of eligibility remaining with Pitt.

Grening is the third player to transfer to Pitt in as many days, with midfielder Logan Oliver coming from Indiana on Monday and defender Casper Svendby coming from Dayton on Tuesday.

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
Midfielder Casper Grening (Kentucky)
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 Ferreiraran
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)