University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Podcasts
Beyond The Script | Episode 1.4 | Women's Soccer Season Preview
Podcasts
Published on 7/28/2026
Podcasts
Published on 7/28/2026
Welcome to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. This episode, Abby Schnable sits down with women's soccer head coach Ben Waldrum and senior defender Olivia Lee.
2026 marks the 30th season of Pitt women's soccer, coming off a 2025 campaign that closed with a 1-0 win over No. 1 Notre Dame — the program's first-ever victory over a top-ranked opponent. What does it take to build on a season like that? How does a roster with 17 returners and a wave of new talent find its identity? And what does the program's growing pipeline to the professional ranks say about where Pitt soccer is headed? Ben and Olivia take us inside a program building on its best season yet — beyond the script.
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Welcome to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the coaches, athletes, and administrators who are doing the work every day to build something special in Pittsburgh.
This episode, Jason is joined by football head coach Pat Narduzzi and redshirt senior defensive lineman Sean FitzSimmons as they preview the season ahead. From a returning quarterback to a defense built around experience up front, what does Pitt have to prove after another year of hot starts and tough finishes? Pat and Sean break down the roster room by room and get honest about what it'll take to finish what they start — beyond the script.
Narduzzi's 12th year: 1:01
Return of Mason Heintschel: 6:20
Look at the offense: 9:45
Breaking down the defense: 11:48
Special team thoughts: 16:00
Sean FitzSimmons joins: 18:12
Going down the roster: 22:37
Mentality for 2026: 27:09
Published on 8/4/2026
Welcome to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the coaches, athletes, and administrators who are doing the work every day to build something special in Pittsburgh.
This episode, Jason is joined by men's soccer head coach Jay Vidovich and assistant coaches Bryce Cregan, Will Marshall and Robby Dambrot — all three former Pitt players themselves. What does it mean to protect the culture behind the crest as rosters turn over year after year? How does a program build a coaching staff almost entirely out of its own alumni? What does staying true to that culture look like heading into 2026? Jay, Bryce, Will and Robby take us inside the program they helped build — beyond the script.
1:25 - Welcome/Summer
2:45 - Connection with athletes
5:05 - Building Pitt men's soccer
7:30 - Recruiting for fit
11:40 - Staff of alums
15:30 - 2026 season
20:05 - Thank you to fans
20:38 - World Cup chat
24:29 - Assistant coaches join the show
30:05 - Laying a foundation
35:58 - Season ahead
37:32 - World Cup chat
Published on 7/21/2026
Welcome to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the coaches, athletes, and administrators who are doing the work every day to build something special in Pittsburgh.
This episode, Jason is joined by volleyball head coach Dan Fisher and star senior Olivia Babcock. What did the team learn from their international trip to Italy, Slovenia and France? Who are the newcomers ready to make an impact? And with a decorated career already behind her, how does Olivia top herself this season? Jason, Dan and Olivia dig into all of it — beyond the script.
1:43 - European Adventure
11:59 - Victory Heights
15:17 - Team Identity
19:05 - A look at the Newcomers
24:12 - Upcoming season
Published on 7/14/2026