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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Recapping last weekend: 00:35
Upcoming events: 7:04
Elli Johnson and Jack Moxom takeover: 9:50
Welcome back 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 people making it happen, and this week, that means handing the mic over.
Freshman Elli Johnson (women's soccer) and senior Jack Moxom (men's soccer) had never met before this episode — so instead of Jason asking the questions, the two goalies interview each other.
Recorded on 9/1, before both had ever spoken, the conversation covers what it's actually like living between the pipes, how talking to your defense changes from program to program, and the saves each of them still thinks about. Two goalies, no host in the middle, comparing notes on a position only they really understand.
Plus — a look back at a big weekend across Pitt Athletics, from Mason Heintschel's record-setting day in football's season-opening win to volleyball's climb to 6-0, and a look ahead to what's coming next for the Panthers.
Published on 9/8/2026

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 Pat Bostick, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, and Chief Marketing Officer Matt Smith, as Pitt football's season opener against Miami (Ohio) approaches. What does the new UPMC patch on Pitt jerseys signal about the future of the program's business side? With Mason Heintschel solidified at quarterback and a retooled offensive line, what is this team building toward? And what will fans feel the moment they walk through the gates at Acrisure Stadium this season? Pat and Matt break down the roster and the game day experience — beyond the script.
1:15 – Pat Bostick joins
2:05 – Jersey patches and NIL
11:11 – First game jitters
12:13 – Bringing back Heintschel
15:15 – Breaking down the offense
21:43 – Looking at the defense
24:12 – The freshman class
25:40 – Matt Smith joins
26:30 – Enhancing game day
31:14 – Night games
32:29 – 1976 team celebrations
33:33 – Loyalty Locker
Published on 9/1/2026

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.
For this special episode, Jason hands the mic over to two of Pitt's own — defensive tackle Jeremiah Warren and linebacker Alex Sanford Jr. — for Players on Players. What's it really like lining up next to each other on defense every day? What was it like transferring into the program and finding their footing at Pitt? And how competitive are these two with each other, really?
Jeremiah and Alex take over the conversation in this special edition of the show that takes you inside Pitt Athletics — beyond the script.
Published on 8/25/2026

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 takes you inside Victory Heights. Deputy Athletic Director Dustin Gray breaks down what opening weekend actually looked like — the Fan Fest, the Blue-Gold volleyball scrimmage, and the first real test of a building six years in the making. Then, Assistant AD for Sports Performance Aaron Duvall goes inside the Martchek Family Strength and Conditioning Center — what's new, what it means for Pitt's 16 programs, and what he's already seen change for the athletes training there.
From the arena floor to the weight room, Jason gets the full picture of Pitt's newest building — beyond the script.
Published on 8/18/2026