Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: What we learned as all six DI programs are up & running, JRK Memorial Classic schedule released + Riverhounds take to the road

The 2026 collegiate soccer season is officially fully underway! With the Division I men kicking off their non-conference slates on Thursday, all six Pittsburgh-area DI programs—Pitt, Duquesne, and Robert Morris—are now officially active on the pitch.

While there are going to be plenty of days ahead where the Pittsburgh Soccer schedule will be packed — there may not be another one quite like the first Thursday when the Men’s season opens and the Women hit week two — and ALL SIX are in action.  That was what we had on Thursday.

Between the men’s opening night matches and a full week’s body of work from the women, here are 6 things we learned from around the city, plus a look ahead to a massive week of local fixtures and a busy road swing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC!

Six Things We Learned Across Pittsburgh DI Soccer

1. Pitt Men’s Soccer Has the Ingredients, New Wrinkles, and No Time to Rest

PSN’s Kevin Hutchinson was on hand at Ambrose Urbanic Field for the Panthers’ season opener against No. 7 Maryland. While Jay Vidovich’s squad suffered a tight 2-1 defeat, the fundamental ingredients remain intact: electric pace, signature possession style, and relentless high intensity. However, against physical, disciplined elite opponents, razor-thin mistakes and letdowns will cost them.

The most intriguing takeaway? Newcomer Mamadou Tall at the No. 9 spot. Have the Panthers ever had a central target profile quite like him? He’s just a freshman and there will be a learning curve but his ability to calmly beat and make Maryland’s keeper pay for coming off his line was a goal that you might see from a seasoned veteran.

Pitt will need to refine quickly as they gear up for a Monday clash against Bucknell—coached by former Riverhounds manager Dave Brandt, who led the Bison to a Patriot League Title and NCAA berth in 2024—before a marquee Big Ten showdown next Friday against Penn State!

2. Pitt Women’s Soccer Will Force the Issue on the Front Foot

Whether hosting national powers or traveling west, Ben Waldrum’s squad is determined to play on the front foot.

The Panthers have outshot their opponents in all three matches to open the campaign. Even after a tough 1-0 setback to Texas, Waldrum was encouraged by how consistently Pitt unbalances teams to get into the final third. On Thursday night at Loyola Marymount, that relentless pressure paid off—Pitt converted key moments to control the match before surrendering a late set-piece goal in a 2-1 victory.

Next up? A step up in competition as they face Santa Clara.  It’s a squad that beat Pitt last year, 2-0, and has received votes early this season in the NCAA Division I United Soccer Coaches poll.

3. Duquesne Women Show Off Depth in Dominant Bounce-Back Win

Talk about a response. After a tough opening week, the Dukes traveled to Cleveland State on Thursday and stormed away with a 3-0 clean sheet. Remarkably, all three goals came as first-ever scores in a Duquesne kit:

• Kiley Johnson (transfer from USC Upstate via Bucks County)

• Allison Bechtel (freshman out of Northern High School in Dillsburg)

• Zoe Fries (junior out of Chartiers Valley who scored her first career goal on the Bluff)

Goalkeeper Ali Hughes made three saves to record her eighth career clean sheet. Next up? A massive regional derby on Sunday as the Dukes travel to Morgantown to take on Nikki Izzo-Brown’s national-contender West Virginia squad!

4. Perseverance Pays Off for Duquesne Men’s GK Sam Coss

PSN’s Zac Weiss covered the Dukes’ season opener at Rooney Field, where Duquesne generated chances to down reigning Patriot League champion Lafayette before settling for a 0-0 draw. The narrative of the night belonged to redshirt senior goalkeeper Sam Coss.

The Syracuse transfer—who has battled through significant injury setbacks over the last two years—earned the starting nod and posted a shutout. Seeing Coss command the box and record the clean sheet was a feel-good moment to kick off the Dukes’ campaign.

5. Resilient RMU Men Show Heart in Opener

Under head coach Jon Potter, the Colonials introduced a heavy influx of new faces in their season opener against Drexel.

While a late goal handed RMU a heartbreaking late defeat, the building blocks were evident. Senior captain and goalkeeper Josh Lane produced a heroic second-half penalty kick save that nearly secured a result, proving this overhauled roster has plenty of fight.  Potter has been successful in molding RMU squad into contenders each season in Horizon League, so they’re already showing there’s plenty to build upon.

6. RMU Women Deliver a Clinic on Set-Piece Execution

After dropping their first two fixtures and surrendering an early lead on Thursday against Cleveland State, Michelle Rick’s squad showed ice-cold composure. In the 63rd minute, Madison Sievering’s corner service led to a header save, allowing CSU transfer Sophia Cucchetti to pounce on the rebound for her first Colonial goal.

Then in the 86th minute, senior Ava Trethewey picked out space on a set piece, curling a cross to Sievering, who finished cleanly to seal a 3-1 victory. When the match hung in the balance, RMU was clinical when it mattered most.

High School Soccer Kicks Off!

WPIAL high school soccer preseason training officially kicked off this week, and Pittsburgh Soccer Now visited the Taylor Allderdice boys soccer team as they prepared for the campaign at the Schenley Oval. Coming off an unprecedented run to the PIAA Semifinals last season, the Dragons are back at work in one of the most unique training environments in Western Pennsylvania.

Catch our full field-side interviews on Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s Instagram:

• Head Coach David Thyberg: Reflections on building off last year’s historic playoff run and setting the standard for 2026.

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• Ira Clemens: Watch Interview on Instagram

• Huxley Lackner: Watch Interview on Instagram

🐕 Riverhounds SC: ‘No Sleep Til Brooklyn’ (and El Paso!)

It is a grueling, high-stakes week ahead for Rob Vincent’s Riverhounds! The Hounds embark on a multi-thousand-mile road trip starting Saturday night in New York against Brooklyn FC, heading directly to Texas to face El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday, and returning home to Highmark Stadium next Saturday for a huge match against 1st-place Tampa Bay.

PSN’s Kevin Hutchinson caught up with head coach Rob Vincent, midfielder Jackson Walti, and defender Victor Souza—a New York City native gearing up for his homecoming fixture. Keep an eye out for those exclusive video interviews dropping on the site!

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🗓️ Upcoming Local Match Schedule (through Labor Day – September 7)

John Krysinsky

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).