PITTSBURGH (March 7, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riveters SC has another pair of players committed for their inaugural 2025 season with the addition of midfielder Gina Proviano and defender/midfielder Emily Kirkpatrick.
The pair, both experienced Division I players, will be reunited as teammates, having played together at Plum High School and with the Riverhounds Development Academy as youth players. Their roster spots are pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval once 2025 USL W League registration opens.
Proviano, 22, has played the past four seasons for Long Island University, where she has captained the Sharks for each of the past two campaigns. She has been a constant in the LIU squad, having started every game a year ago and missing only one match the past three years.
Last season, she posted career bests with five goals and three assists — both second on the team — and two of her goals were game winners.
“We are pleased to welcome Gina back to the club after a great career at LIU. She is a very talented technical player that is dangerous in 1v1 situations, can pick a pass, has great vision and is a threat from distance with her excellent left foot,” Riveters head coach Scott Gibson said. “She will also bring leadership and experience to the team after captaining her collegiate team. She is exactly the type of character we want in the locker room.”
Kirkpatrick, 21, played at Towson University, where she appeared in 28 matches over her career, starting 12 of those. The defender added a pair of assists and was a part of the Tigers’ 2023 team that won the Colonial Athletic Association and reached the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to reuniting with high school teammate Proviano, Kirkpatrick with the Riveters will be back on the field with some of her club teammates from the Hounds 2003 Girls team that won the ECNL Showcase Cup, such as Tessa Dellarose and Sydney Lindeman.
“Emily is an extremely strong player and will bring the athletic and physical presence that we need to the team. She is a player that is excellent in duels, a strong tackler and is not afraid to command the center of the field,” Gibson said. “Emily is also technically very good on the ball and will provide options for us in the defensive third of the field. We are happy to welcome her back to the club, and her leadership on and off the field will be an asset to the team.”
The hometown additions bring the Riveters’ total squad to 16 players announced, with more to be confirmed ahead of the team’s on-field debut in the USL W League Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. when they host the Cleveland Force at Highmark Stadium.
