Pitt soccer stars Valentin Noel and Jasper Löeffelsend named preseason All-Americans

Pitt men’s soccer standouts Valentin Noel and Jasper Löeffelsend were named preseason All-Americans this week by College Soccer News. Noel earned a spot on the first team, while Löeffelsend was placed on the second team.

Noel had a breakout year as a sophomore, ranking second in the nation in goals, with 14, and third in points, with 30. Those totals were up from three goals and nine points in 2019. And as a result of the French midfielder’s uptick in play, he was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-America honors from College Soccer News and United Soccer Coaches.

Löeffelsend enjoyed a breakout season of his own in his first year in Pittsburgh, as he acclimated to the college level immediately and became a solid defender and one of the most reliable playmakers in the nation. All told, he ended the 2020-21 season with nine assists, which ranked fourth in the country. And for his efforts, Löeffelsend was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned second-team All-America honors from College Soccer News and United Soccer Coaches.

In addition to the accolades they earned at the conference and national levels, Noel and Löeffelsend were both in the running for the MAC Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s most prestigious honor. Noel was a finalist for the trophy, while Löeffelsend was a semifinalist.

Noel, Löeffelsend and the Panthers will kick off the 2021 season with a City Game matchup against Duquesne on Thursday. The game will air on the ACC Network at 8 p.m. ET.