Plum grad Ethan Rose, Pitt-Greensburg men's soccer working to take big step this season

Ethan Rose didn’t pull any punches when assessing his sophomore season with the Pitt-Greensburg men’s soccer team. He called it “underwhelming.”

The Plum grad wasn’t even impressed by registering his first collegiate points. He posted a pair of assists before breaking through with his first goal late in the season in a match against La Roche.

But the rising junior is expecting more of himself.

“It is important to stay consistent, but I felt I failed to do so,” Rose told the Trib in an email. “This coming season will surely be different, having more experience behind me now.”

That might be true of the Bobcats as a collective. With 15 newcomers on the roster in 2024, UPG took a while to find its footing, losing six of its first eight matches (including one tie).

The Bobcats picked up some steam midway through the season and finished 4-4 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (6-12-1 overall). They even won a match in the AMCC Tournament before being eliminated in the semifinals by top-seeded Alfred State.

“We had some early struggles in nonconference play as we worked to establish our best rotation,” seventh-year coach Marc Bucci said in an email. “With 15 newcomers, those games became key opportunities for growth. To reach the AMCC semifinals despite that inexperience and match the result of a more talented 2023 team is something we’re proud of.”

Rose’s progression — despite his harsh self-assessment — mirrored that of the team. After appearing in only five matches during his freshman season, he played in all 19 matches last season, starting 16, including the final nine.

Listed as a defender on the roster, Rose was asked to take on more offensive responsibility to take advantage of his ball skills and take some pressure off the Bobcats’ leading goal scorer, Matt Armenio. Armenio tied for third in the conference with 10 goals.

“With so many newcomers (last year), we shifted Ethan into a more attacking role to see how his athleticism could impact the game in central areas,” Bucci said. “He brings creative movement, which is difficult to teach.”

Rose said he worked to improve his confidence last season, especially with the ball at his feet. He also sharpened his decision-making skills, all with the aim of being more of a factor in the attack.

Additionally, he spent the offseason playing in the Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League as well as in a 7-on-7 league in Plum.

“I spent a lot of my time playing in competitive games in an attempt to improve my effectiveness in the final third,” he said. “I think I play an important part in getting the offense started.”

Bucci, meanwhile, has high expectations for Rose.

“After a full year in that spot and with returners around him, I expect him to compete for all-conference honors this season,” the coach said. “We expect him to be a consistent threat in the attack by not only creating chances, but finishing them with goals and assists. He needs to be someone opponents must account for every time he’s on the field.”

Having that first collegiate goal out of the way should help. So, too, should the more experienced roster. Last year’s freshman- and sophomore-heavy group lost only three seniors, so with the bulk of the team back, Rose is expecting a better season for the Bobcats.

And that, he said, is how he will measure his individual success.

“A successful season for myself means it has also been a successful season for the team,” he said. “If I am able to be a consistent playmaker, help keep possession and finish my chances when in front of the net, then I believe that will greatly boost our chances of having a successful season.”