PITTSBURGH (April 24, 2026) — The Pittsburgh Riveters have added a trio of midfield players with roots in the Riverhounds Development Academy with the additions of Azalea Mihailovich, Grace Bannon and Mia Deramo for the 2026 season.
Mihailovich, 22, just wrapped up her senior season at UNC-Asheville, where she was a regular starter throughout her career. Across 53 total matches, Mihailovich had five goals and eight assists for the Bulldogs, earning All-Big South Second Team and All-Freshman honors in 2022 and being named to the conference’s top returners watch list prior to the 2025 season. Hailing from Cumberland, Md., she returns to Pittsburgh where she finished her youth career in the RDA.
Bannon, 19, featured last year as a freshman at Campbell University with 12 starts and 13 appearances, recording two assists in her first season with the Camels. The season prior, Bannon wrapped up her time playing in the RDA and becoming the first-ever all-state selection from nearby Montour High School.
Deramo, 18, is winding down her time in the Hounds Academy this spring with the club’s 2007/08 Elite Clubs National League team. Last fall, she helped South Fayette High School to its first-ever PIAA state championship, finishing her career as a 50-goal scorer, and she is committed to play college soccer next season at Youngstown State University.
“We are delighted to add all three players to our squad for the upcoming season. Azalea will provide us with an attacking threat through her speed and work rate. Grace is a hardworking, technically gifted midfielder and has a high IQ of reading the game. She is a role model to young players, as she came through the RDA from the ECNL Regional League level into the ECNL level, and she is now a Riveter,” Riveters head coach Scott Gibson said.
Gibson continued: “Mia started in the Riverhounds Academy Futures Program as a 6-year-old in 2013. She has since played in the RDA all the way through and will now join the Riveters squad after her graduation this spring. She is a fearless player with excellent technical ability and will learn so much this summer.”
The Riveters’ roster is nearly set with the first match on the season less than a month away on Saturday, May 16 at home against FC Buffalo at F.N.B. Stadium. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and by visiting riveterssc.com/tickets.
