PITTSBURGH (Jan. 25, 2024) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has added another pair of newcomers for the 2024 season with the signings of forward Babacar Diene and defender Jake Lent-Koop. Both players are signed for the upcoming season with a 2025 team option, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.
Diene, 27, comes to the Hounds after a standout senior season at Rider University, where he led the Broncs with 13 goals as the team won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. His contributions, including the game-winning goal against Iona to clinch the MAAC title, led a massive turnaround for Rider, which won 12 games and reached the NCAA Tournament after just three wins the previous season.
A native of Thies, Senegal, Diene also suited up in both USL League Two and the National Premier Soccer League for FC Motown, where he was part of the club’s 2022 NPSL national championship team.
“Babacar brings power and pace to our front line and combines well with players around him,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “He has the ability to make defenders uncomfortable, and we look forward to working with him in 2024.”
Lent-Koop, 23, comes to the Hounds from perennial NCAA Division III power Messiah University, where he was a two-time United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American and helped the team to a 77-6-7 record and four Middle Atlantic Conference titles during his four seasons. Messiah reached at least the NCAA Tournament’s second round in all four of Lent-Koop’s seasons, advancing as far as the Elite Eight in 2021.
Hailing from Rio Rancho, N.M., the defender also scored 12 goals for the Falcons in four years, and, as a senior, Lent-Koop was named MVP in their MAC Tournament triumph.
“Jake had a great career at Messiah and has all the tools to make the jump to the USL Championship,” Lilley said. “He is a physical defender who runs well, and we believe he will grow quickly in our system.”
In a separate roster move, the Hounds have released midfielder DZ Harmon by mutual agreement between the player and club.
The Hounds open preseason training next week as the team gears up for the USL Championship season, which begins March 9 with a 4 p.m. match at New Mexico United.
