Ex-Pitt defender Shane Wiedt signs with Riverhounds

Former Pitt defender Shane Wiedt is set to return to the Steel City, as he signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League Championship on Thursday. The deal, which is pending league approval, includes a club option for 2022.

Wiedt played for Pitt as a graduate transfer in 2018 after beginning his college career with Akron in his hometown. He made 16 starts and 17 appearances for the Panthers under Jay Vidovich and was part of a Pitt defense that logged five shutouts. Wiedt was also a member of the first Pitt team to win an ACC tournament game, and before that, he made the NCAA tournament semifinals with the Zips in 2017.

“Shane sees the game well from the back and is comfortable on the ball under pressure,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said in a statement. “He has shown consistency during our preseason and will bring quality to our defensive group for the 2021 season.”

After finishing his college career at Pitt, Wiedt moved onto the professional ranks, signing with Loudoun United in 2019. Wiedt would remain with the Virginia-based team through the 2020 season, making 19 starts and 20 appearances and scoring his first goal in a 2-2 draw with Hartford Athletic on Aug. 23, 2020.

However, Wiedt was only signed on to stay with Loudoun United through 2020, and after his time with the D.C. United affiliate came to a close, he was given a shot with the Hounds as an invited trialist in the 2021 preseason. That turn of events saw him play in five preseason games, start two and earn a roster spot.

Wiedt will join a Riverhounds team coming off a solid 11-4-1 season that resulted in a fifth-place finish in the league and a third-place finish in conference. The move could also see the Pitt alum play a key role for one of the USL’s top defensive teams, as the Hounds conceded a league-low 10 goals in 2020.