University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Men's Soccer Signs Three Players For 2009 Season
5/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
May 20, 2009
PITTSBURGH- University of Pittsburgh men's soccer coach Joe Luxbacher announced the signing of three players to a National-Letter-of-Intent for the 2009 season. Pitt added to its overall team depth by signing two defensive midfielders and addressed its goalkeeping need by signing a goalie as well.
"All in all I feel our incoming class is very solid," Luxbacher said. "Though small in number, it will add to the depth and overall strength of our squad. We have a solid group of players returning, so the addition of Mike, Alex and Keegan will fit well with that group."
Due to the graduation of three senior goalkeepers one of the Panthers' most pressing needs was in goal. Goalkeeper Keegan Gunderson (Circle Pines, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary's) will bring Pitt much needed goalkeeping depth. While at Shattuck-St. Mary's Gunderson guided his team to the U.S. Club Soccer Region II (Midwest) championship during his junior year and to the U.S. Club Soccer National Championship finals during both his junior and senior seasons. Gunderson was named to the Minnesota Olympic Development Program (ODP) Team and to the Region II (Midwest) ODP Team all four years of his high school career and brings several years of national team training camp experience to the table. Gunderson graduated Shattuck-St. Mary's with high honors and received his school's Cooley Award in 2008.
"Keegan has experienced much success at the club and ODP level," Luxbacher said. "We expect him to compete immediately for the starting spot in goal, along with our one returning keeper Zach Matthews (Plum, Pa./Plum), who had a solid spring season for us. Between the two, I am confident we will be solid in the goal, even though neither has playing experience in Big East games."
Contributing at the defensive midfield positions will be Alex Fischetti (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton La Salle) and Mike Whitaker (Doylestown, Pa./ Central Bucks East).
Fischetti scored 53 goals and contributed 88 assists over his four-year varsity career at Seton La Salle. Fischetti received numerous honors throughout his career including being named a 2008 ESPN Rise Magazine All-Area Player and earning Regional All-America honors following his senior season. The two-time All-State and three-time All-Section team selection led his team to an overall four-year record of 92-7, including a perfect 25-0 record and state title during his senior season. While playing on the Beadling Soccer Club for five seasons, Fischetti led Beadling to a U.S. Club Regional championship in 2006-2007, a USYSA finalist finish in 2008 and was named team captain for 2009. Additionally, Fischetti competed in alpine skiing and was a member of the National English Honor Society.
"Alex played as a defender with his high school and club teams, but has the versatility to contribute in the midfield as well," Luxbacher said. "Alex is a talented player who led his high school to the state championship this past year, so he is accustomed to success and playing at a high level."
Whitaker will also add depth to the Pitt defense and midfield positions. As a defended, Whitaker scored 13 goals and added 20 assists in his four-year varsity career at Central Bucks East High School. An All-State selection following his senior season, Whitaker earned numerous accolades during his high school career including being named 2008 defensive player of the year by The Intelligencer. As a two-time All-League selection, Whitaker led Central Bucks East to a four-year combined record of 73-27 and two league championships during his junior and senior seasons. While playing for the VE Blast Soccer Club, Whitaker led his team to the quarterfinals in the Dallas Cup and to the Jacksonville Score at the Shore Championship. Whitaker also played on the Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program (ODP) Team for five seasons and played with the ODP Regional Team in 2008. Additionally, Whitaker competed in basketball and track and was a member of the National Junior Honor Society.
"Mike is a central defender/defensive midfielder who we feel will immediately compete for playing time," Luxbacher said. "He is a physically strong and skilled player, who will provide added depth to our backline."
Pitt finished the 2008 season with a 7-8-3 overall record and went 3-6-2 in Big East play.
