Three locals set to join Cal U men’s soccer team

By the Mon Valley Independent

Three local soccer standouts were officially announced as part of the Cal U men’s soccer team’s 2020 recruiting class Saturday. 

The Ringgold duo of midfielder Frankie Lowstetter and defender Wyatt Kaufman will join former Charleroi forward Cullin Woytovich in California this fall. The three are among five Pennsylvania recruits in the 10-player class for the Vulcans. 

“I am very excited about the incoming class. We are very happy with our returning roster and we will be adding strength and depth to almost every position with the incoming student-athletes,” Cal U head coach Emedin Sabic said. “They all come from strong high school and club programs that have given them a good base to transition to the college level. We will look to them to give us additional strength and quality as we keep developing a young team. 

“We believe that these student-athletes will make a great addition to our program and we look forward to having them represent our university in a positive way on and off the field.”

Lowstetter, a 5-10, 145-pound midfielder, was a four-year starter for the Rams. He was a two-time all-section selection and a member of two section championship teams. 

The Monongahela native was selected as a team captain this past fall.

“Frank is a smart player on the ball,” Sabic said. “He is an excellent passer of the ball with the ability to find the final pass well.”

Kaufman will play for the Vulcans after spending one season at Seton Hill. 

A 5-7, 140-pound defensive contributor from Finleyville, Kaufman appeared in seven games with one start while playing under Dan McCarty. 

“Wyatt has a good work-rate and has the potential to be a reliable option in wide positions for us,” Sabic said. “He joined us in the spring, so we had a chance to work with him already. Wyatt has already shown improvement in his game during a short period of time.”

Woytovich joins the Vulcans after finishing his high school career as the most prolific scorer in Charleroi boys soccer history. 

A 5-5, 145-pound Charleroi native, Woytovich scored a program record 132 goals, including 50 during his senior campaign. 

He was a two-time all-state selection and was named the Mon Valley Independent-BeeGraphix Fab 15 Player of the Year during his junior season. 

“Cullin is a very quick and crafty attacker who has the ability to create a lot of chances and score goals with his style of play,” Sabic said. 

In joining Cal U, Lowstetter and Kaufman will once again team up with former Ringgold teammates Jeff Soles and Kobe Norfleet, who will be sophomores in the fall. Among the other local players on Cal U’s 2019 roster were Thomas Jefferson’s AJ Meshanko and Yough’s Riley Jupin. 

The Vulcans finished last season with a 5-7-3 overall record and placed fourth in the PSAC West standings with a 3-4-3 mark.