<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3WdYZw_0w2HVUMC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3WdYZw_0w2HVUMC00" width="640" height="427" ></figure>Michael Sullivan scored his first goal for the top-ranked Pitt men’s soccer team this week in a big game against another top-10 team in Denver, and though that was a big moment, it’s only a small part of what he’s contributing. Sullivan’s greatest asset to the Panthers has been his versatility. The Deer Lakes grad has become the team’s Swiss Army knife, playing all over the pitch in his senior season. He’s started at center back, outside back, defensive midfielder, central midfielder and attacking midfielder. Playing that many different positions may seem like a lot to handle, but Sullivan credited the Pitt coaches for giving him the tools to be successful no matter what his role is on a given day. “I think one of the great things about coach (Jay) Vidovich and his staff is that they don’t really pigeonhole you into one specific position or role,” Sullivan said. “It comes down to how you help the team on any given day if it’s as a right back, center back or you’re in the front five. I’ve been fortunate to help the team in numerous different spots and want to continue to do that the rest of the year.” Pitt is 10-1, heading into a matchup with Cal on Friday. The Panthers have held the top ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Poll since Sept. 24. Sullivan started at center back in the season opener against Georgetown and then moved to right back for a couple games before getting some starts in the midfield. Film study helped him become comfortable moving to wherever he is asked to play. “Each position has its own little nuances, but at the end of the day it’s soccer,” Sullivan said. “For as much as we watch film and go through our mental reps, you start to learn the game whether it be at one position or all 11. Being able to see it and break it down to where it’s not one position you’re looking at, but seeing the guy next to you and figuring out how you can help him. Then maybe you’re in that position later on and when it comes time for me to fill that role it’s almost like I’ve already played it.” Sullivan’s goal gave Pitt the lead in the first half against Denver on Monday. He made a run into the box from the midfield, received a cross from Lasse Dahl and slotted a shot inside the right post. The Panthers won 2-0, their seventh straight victory. “Any time you get to score, especially at home, it’s a great feeling,” Sullivan said. “Getting to do it against a big opponent like (Denver) when it was a 0-0 game to that point was huge. I thought we started the game very well and were on the front foot from the first whistle. You could feel that a goal was coming. It just happened to be me that got it.” Sullivan will graduate in December after completing a dual major in business information systems and supply chain management. Whether there’s more soccer in his future after college remains to be seen, but right now he’s savoring every opportunity he has with the Panthers and hopes to help the team make a national championship run. “I’m just taking it as it comes right now,” Sullivan said. “This is the last ride, and whatever happens afterwards happens. I’m just trying to stay in the moment right now and enjoying the days with the guys, because it’s coming to an end soon.” </div></body>

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Deer Lakes' Sullivan playing all over pitch for No. 1 Pitt soccer

Michael Sullivan scored his first goal for the top-ranked Pitt men’s soccer team this week in a big game against another top-10 team in Denver, and though that was a big moment, it’s only a small part of what he’s contributing. Sullivan’s greatest asset to the Panthers...

Deer Lakes' Sullivan playing all over pitch for No. 1 Pitt soccer

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