Putting in the work: Schupansky leaves it on the pitch
by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor
Photos: University of Pittsburg Athletics
It’s a goal that can be seen over and over again.
Sarah Schupansky has scored a lot of goals in her career, but the one she scored against Syracuse might be one off the greatest goals you have ever seen. Schupansky took the ball, cut across the middle of the pitch, got to the left corner of the box, used her left foot and fired a shot past Syracuse keeper Shea Vanderbosch.
Vanderbosch had a beat on the ball, but the shot curved to the far right post underneath the crossbar. It was a highlight real goal on a day where Pitt was just playing freely all day. To be able to beat one of the best keepers was just icing on the cake.
That goal happened because of the handwork Schupansky puts in on the training ground.
“That goal will always be a special one because it occurred during a game where I felt pure joy from start to finish. The team that day was playing freely and successfully implementing our style of play,” stated Schupansky. “That feeling of joy and freedom led to a definitive scoreline but more importantly a boost of confidence for the team amidst a competitive bout of ACC games within our schedule. As for the technique required for that shot, I credit that to hard work and repetitions during training. It always means a lot to score against a phenomenal keeper like Shea. She!s a wall back there and made some incredible saves in that game, so it felt great to get one through.”
It has been a great career for Schupansky during her time at the University of Pittsburg. The Pittsburgh, Pa native was able to play the game she loved, for the city she grew up in. It was a dream come true for a young woman who committed to the school at the age of 14.
To think Schupansky knew what the future was going to hold would have been a lie. All she did during her four years was be the best version of herself, and let the rest fall where they may.
“My time at Pitt has been nothing short of some of the best years of my life. I got the opportunity to play the game I love, for the city I grew up in, in one of the best conferences in the country, among some of the greatest people I have ever met. I committed to the university as a fourteen-year-old girl who had no clue what the future would hold at the time,” stated Schupansky. “Since then, the NCAA has implemented rules that disallow committing that early, but if the new rules were in place back when I was in the recruiting process, I can tell you one thing, I hope that I still would have ended up playing for such a life-changing program. I will forever appreciate the belief Randy instilled in me, and I cannot thank him, or the rest of the staff, enough for providing me with a team that felt like family over the last four years.”
While she has set records at Pitt, the biggest accomplishment might be the fact that Schupansky has been ready to go whenever there has been a game. During her great career, Schupansky has appeared in 82 games with 78 starts.
Being able to show up and play every day has been a sense of pride.
“Every morning, I wake up feeling beyond blessed to be able to play the game I love with such incredible people. Each day brings a new opportunity and a chance to improve. Whether you decide to embrace that challenge or ignore it is up to you - I always do my best to face it head on,” stated Schupansky. “Ever since I arrived at Pitt, I have made sure to work my hardest for the coaching staff. As I stated before, Randy believed in me from very early on in my career, so the least I could do in return was make sure I was ready, willing, and prepared for each game every season.”
During her entire career Schupansky has been a versatile scorer for the Panthers. Whether it was scoring her highlight real goals, or dishing off to the right person for the assist, Schupansky has been able to produce for Pitt.
Her 32 goals and 43 assists in 82 games is impressive, This season, Schupansky set the All-time record for assist in a season with 15. She credits her versatility to the coaching staff at Pitt and to her youth club.
“My main goal whenever I step onto the field for a game is to create for my team. I ensure that I am giving it my all and simply playing my game. I could not have broken any records at this university without the talent and support that surrounds me. When I get the ball, my teammates make sure to get themselves in the areas where I know I can send a dangerous ball,” stated Schupansky. “In training, the coaches have us replicate scenarios and situations similar to those we may encounter in a game, which gives us the confidence to deliver when it matters most. I could not have tallied one assist this season without my teammates! well-earned ability to finish my services.”
Over the years they have taught Schupansky to read the flow of the game and either take the shot or make the pass.
“I credit my versatility to the Pitt coaching staff, as well as my coaches at the Riverhounds Academy (my youth club). They always pushed me to do my best to read the game and understand the best time to either take the shot or find the pass. I love to be on the field, so if my coaches need me to play somewhere different from my usual positions, I gladly oblige,” explained Schupansky. “Whether at forward or in the midfield, I do all I can to produce and create for myself and my teammates. There is no better feeling than seeing that ball hit the back of the net, and being a direct part of it is always special.”
As her college career comes to a close, Schupansky has a lot to look back on. It could be the goals scored, the wins in the NCAA tournaments. All the team success over her time at Pitt. But, it’s those relationships she has forged with her coaches and teammates that will last forever.
Those are the memories she will cherish the most.
“The success I’ve experienced on the field will surely be memorable, but it is not what I will treasure most about my time here at Pitt. The relationships I’ve built with my teammates and staff members, along with the memories made with them, will be what I will treasure forever,” stated Schupansky. “Everyone talks about the wins or the loses and the deep tournament runs, but I!ll remember the laughs my teammates and I shared in the back of the bus, Randy dancing in the locker room pre-game, the dreaded but eventful red-eye flights, and the support we all showed each other through the tough times more than any win, goal, or assist. My hope is that everyone at Pitt remembers me as a good person before remembering me as a good player.”
As her time comes to a close it’s time for Schupansky to look to the future. A future that will be bright in the game. Her career isn’t going to end just with college, Schupansky has the talent to play at the next level.
Schupansky wants to prove how good she really is. Ever since she was a little girl, Schupansky wanted to play professionally. She wants to unlock the potential she knows she has in her.
“Since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of playing professional soccer. My ideal postgraduate plans would be to join a professional club and unlock that next level of potential within myself as a player,” stated Schupansky. “I had the amazing opportunity to train with various professional teams last summer, and the level of intensity and commitment those clubs, players, and coaches brought was like nothing I!ve experienced before. It was challenging in the best way possible, and it would be an absolute privilege, as well as a dream come true, to be able to contribute to a professional club after college.”
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