University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Men's Soccer Signs Six Student-Athletes
5/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Men's Soccer Signs Six Student-Athletes
5/30/2003
PITTSBURGH?Pittsburgh men?s soccer coach Joe Luxbacher announced Friday the signing of six recruits to a National Letter of Intent. The six signees, gives Luxbacher one of his largest recruiting classes in recent years.
?We have recruited a strong class of student athletes that are very talented,? Luxbacher said. ?We have met our immediate needs with this class and we hope some will step in and make an early impact for our team.?
Joining the Panthers will be Tyler Bastianelli (Wilmington, Dele., St. Marks), Jonathon Clow (Mansfield, Ohio, Madison Comprehensive), Jeremy Gillespie (Penn Hills, Pa., Penn Hills), Brian Madden (Lansdale, Pa., Lansdale Catholic), Brendon Smith (Doylestown, Pa., Central Bucks East) and Jeffrey Tidd (Strongsville, Ohio, Strongsville).
Last year?s squad finished with an 8-9-1 record, and graduated 10 seniors. The 2003 Panthers will undoubtedly be a young squad; however that doesn?t dim the prospects of the upcoming season for Luxbacher.
?The key to this season will be to mesh our incoming players with the returning core of the team,? Luxbacher said. ?We have high expectations for this season and I believe that we?ll be a good team.?
The Panthers open the 2003 season on August 30th against defending Big East Champion and NCAA quarterfinalist Boston College at Founders Field.
Tyler Bastianelli
Joins the Panthers after winning three consecutive state championships and one state runner-up crown for St. Marks High School, in Wilmington, Delaware? As a center midfielder was named to the first team All State his junior and senior seasons ? Also was named to the First Team Academic All State for wrestling his senior year.
Jonathan Clow
As a four-year starter at Madison Comprehensive High School in Mansfield, Ohio? helped lead his team to four consecutive Ohio Heartland Conference titles and one district championship?Three time district first team player? In his senior season was the team captain as well as being named to the Ohio All-Star team.
Jeremy Gillespie
Joins the Panthers from Penn Hills High School in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania after being named to the All Section team, All WPIAL team and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette East Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons?named to All State team in senior season as well as a WPSCA All-Star?member of the Pennsylvania West State team as well as the Region I team.
Brian Madden
Posted a school record 56 goals in addition to 43 assists in his four seasons in the midfield at Lansdale Catholic High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania?named to the PAC 10 first team and the All Intelligencer First team during his sophomore through senior seasons? during his senior season was named to the All State team as well as the All Southeastern Pennsylvania team.
Brendon Smith
Posted 14 goals and 18 assists in four seasons at Central Bucks East High School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania?helped lead team to three Suburban One League titles, in addition to a state semifinals and a District One finalist appearances?named to Bucks County Intelligencer team and Suburban One League teams in junior and senior seasons?during senior season named to Philadelphia All Area team and team MVP.
Jeffrey Tidd
Helped lead Strongsville High School in Strongsville, Ohio to four Pioneer Conference championships, four sectional titles, two district titles in Division I? named to All State, All Cuyahoga, All Cleveland and All Pioneer League teams during his junior and senior seasons?during his senior season was named to the All Midwest team while serving as the team?s captain?posted 47 career goals and 34 assists as a midfielder in his Strongsville career.
