USL W LEAGUE: Lucci, Salopek become the latest new Riveters players
- Dan Stickradt
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list the photo credit as well.)
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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Riveters SC has secured the services of two more quality players for the upcoming USL W League season with the additions of forward Carolina Lucci and defender Kelsey Salopek.
Both players have their spots pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval once 2025 USL W League registration opens.
Lucci, 26, is a native of Monaca, Pa., and a graduate of Central Valley High School, and she brings W League experience to the table after having previously played for Florida club Swan City SC.
As a college player, Lucci excelled at Division II Chowan (N.C.), where she finished with 51 goals scored, second in school history and the most since the Hawks became a D-II team. She was the Conference Carolinas Player of the Year as a freshman in 2017, when she scored 19 goals, and a First Team All-Conference Carolinas selection in all five of her seasons.
“We are delighted to welcome Carolina to the Riveters. She has experience at the W league level and will provide us with a threat from the wing and on our front line,” Riveters head coach Scott Gibson said. “She performed exceptionally well through the tryout period and will add another layer of leadership to the team.”
Salopek, 20, who hails from Munhall, Pa., and is a Steel Valley High School product, recently completed her junior season with Kent State University.
A midfielder-turned-outside back with the Golden Flashes, she was selected to the All-Mid-American Conference Freshman Team in 2022, and with the position change, earned First Team All-MAC honors in 2023. She has also earned both the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week honor during her career, and in 2023, Kent State advanced to only its fourth-ever MAC Tournament final.
“Kelsey is a tenacious defender and is having a very good collegiate career at Kent State. She is a very good 1v1 defender and will bring work ethic, competitiveness and comfort on the ball,” Gibson said. “She has a great engine to get up and down from the outside back position, and we are excited to see her integrate into the squad.”
The Riveters’ inaugural game is now less than two months away. The team kicks off its first season by hosting the Cleveland Force on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. Season tickets are available at riveterssc.com, and single-game tickets go on sale April 3 to the general public.
COURTESY PHOTO / CHOWAN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Carolina Lucci is one of latest players to sign with the Pittsburgh Riveters of the USL W League season.
COURTESY PHOTO / KENT STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Kelsey Salopek has signed with the Pittsburgh Riveters of the 2025 USL W League season.
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and news@nationalsoccernetwork.com, or call 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 32-year veteran of the Michigan and national media circles and recently joined the staff full time at PMG in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/NSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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