Svendby Named to ACC Preseason Watch List; Panthers Picked to Finish Third in Conference
8/13/2025 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
CHARLOTTE — Following a historic 2024 season, reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year senior Casper Svendby was named to the ACC Preseason Watch List, as announced by the league office Wednesday evening. Additionally, Pitt – the defending ACC regular season champions – was picked to finish third in the conference, garnering four first place votes.
Svendby, a native of Drammen, Norway, enjoyed a decorated 2024 campaign, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors while anchoring Pitt's back line to a program-best 0.90 goals-against average (GAA). Offensively, he contributed three goals and four assists for 10 total points en route to being named First Team All-ACC.
Svendby's 2024 Accolades
- First Team All-American
- MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist
- ACC Defensive Player of the Year
- First Team All-ACC
2025 ACC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Clemson (4), 185
2. Wake Forest (5), 175
3. Pitt (4), 167
4. Duke (2), 160
T5. Stanford, 136
T5. SMU 136
7. North Carolina, 115
8. NC State, 108
9. Virginia, 104
10. Notre Dame, 81
11. Syracuse, 63
12. Cal, 57
13. Virginia Tech, 34
14. Louisville, 33
15. Boston College, 21
First-place votes in parentheses
2025 ACC Men's Soccer Preseason Watch List
Ask Ekeland, Sr., M, Boston College
Alfredo Ortiz, Sr., D, California
Ransford Gyan, So., M, Clemson
Ulfur Bjornsson, Jr., F, Duke
Alex Svetanoff, GK, RFr., Louisville
Andrew Czech, M/D, Gr., North Carolina
Donavan Phillip, Jr., F, NC State
Wyatt Lewis, Jr., M, Notre Dame
Casper Svendby, Sr., D, Pitt
Jaylinn Mitchell, Jr., M, SMU
Zach Bohane, Sr., M, Stanford
Chimere Omeze, So., D, Syracuse
Umberto Pelà, Sr., M, Virginia
Sam Joseph, Sr., GK, Virginia Tech
Cooper Flax, Sr., M, Wake Forest
