The Pittsburgh Riveters SC has not played a game yet, but the new pre-professional women’s soccer team just strengthened its defense.
The team, set to begin play in May in the USL W League, signed Towson redshirt sophomore and Franklin Regional alum Sydney Lindeman. The 21-year-old defender played club soccer with the Riverhounds Development Academy and held down a spot on its Elite Clubs National League team.
Lindeman, an all-round playmaker who played various positions in high school, including midfielder, was the TribLive Westmoreland player of the year in 2021.
Her accolades included United States Soccer Coaches Association All-Region II East, all-state and All-WPIAL honors.
At Towson last season, Lindeman played in 14 games, starting nine of them. The Tigers’ defense allowed only 17 goals in 19 games.
She served a medical redshirt in 2022, but returned in ’23 and helped Towson win a Colonial Athletic Association title and reach the NCAA Tournament.
“Sydney is a player that we know well and have worked with for years in the Academy,” Riveters coach Scott Gibson said. “As a player, she is extremely intelligent and very smooth on the ball. Her versatility, temperament and overall class will be an asset to the team this upcoming season.”
Scott Arnold, Lindeman’s coach at Franklin Regional, is an assistant with the Steel City FC women’s team. Steel City will likely play the Riveters this summer.