Soccer: Panthers sign three defensive players for fall

If it’s true that defense wins championships, then the Pitt men’s soccer team is on the… If it’s true that defense wins championships, then the Pitt men’s soccer team is on the right track.

Head coach Joe Luxbacher recently announced the signing of three defensive players to a National Letter of Intent for the upcoming 2009 men’s soccer season. With goalkeepers Eric Barnes, Morgan Faust and Jordan Marks and defensive midfielders Matt Firster and Eric Jaeger graduating, the Panthers needed help on the back end.

Goalkeeper Keegan Gunderson and defensive midfielders Alex Fischetti and Mike Whitaker will be the newest faces on Pitt’s roster. And if things go according to plan, the three players should solidify overall team defense and add to a much-needed depth.

That’s good news for Luxbacher, who said he liked what he saw on his revamped roster.

“All in all, I feel our incoming class is very solid,” Luxbacher said. “We have a solid group of players returning, so the addition of Mike, Alex and Keegan will fit well with that group.”

For Luxbacher, the three new pieces to the team will be a matter of quality, not quantity, as the team tries to build on a Big East tournament qualifying season despite losing five important players.

“Though small in number, it will add to the depth and overall strength of our squad,” Luxbacher said.

Naturally, each player brings a different element to the team. And Luxbacher said he liked what he saw from his newly acquired talent.

Among the team’s more pressing issues was goaltending, and Gunderson delivers on that end. A product of Shattuck-St. Mary’s High School in Minnesota, Gunderson was behind the posts for his team en route to U.S. Club Soccer National Championship finals during his junior and senior seasons.

Luxbacher praised Gunderson’s national level experience.

“[Gunderson] has experienced much success at the club and [Olympic Development Program] level,” he said. “We expect him to compete immediately for the starting spot in goal.”

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh native Fischetti brings a winning track record to a team trying to reach the next level.

Fischetti’s awards and accolades range from 2008 ESPN Rise Magazine all-area player to two-time all-state honors, but his diverse skill set garnered the most attention from Luxbacher.

“[Fischetti] played as a defender with his high school and club teams, but has the versatility to contribute in the midfield, as well,” he said. “[He] 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.”

Then there’s Doylestown, Pa., native Whitaker.

A 2008 defensive player of the year, as selected by The Intelligencer, Whitaker brings defensive toughness to the team.

“[Whitaker] 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.”

While the future of the men’s soccer team remains unknown, the addition of Gunderson, Fischetti and Whitaker makes it promising.