Photos by Aren Framil/ staffwriter
Players on the Carnegie Mellon Men’s and Women’s soccer teams have been named to the United Soccer Coaches Region VII team, as well as all-UAA teams, a key reflection of both teams’ success and growth this season. Seniors Helena Locatelli and Vivian Wang both earned a spot on the Region VII third team, collecting the first all-region accolade of their careers. On the UAA side, Locatelli, Wang, and junior Audrey Bianco were all named to the association’s second team.
On the men’s team, sophomore Tristan Gonzales earned a spot on the third team, collecting his first all-region Accolade. Five players on the team — freshman Mateas Fitzwilliam (first team), freshman Tristan Gonzalez (second team), freshman Idan Garten (honorable mention), junior Dominic Hoar-Weiler (honorable mention), and junior Kai Yamamoto (honorable mention) — all ended the season with UAA honors.
Locatelli was the anchor for the women’s team’s defense as a center back and was instrumental in helping the team record eight shutouts. She started in 13 out of 15 games played and scored the game-winning goal against Ohio Northern earlier in the season.
Wang started all 18 games and directed the midfield both offensively and defensively. Wang scored one goal this season and assisted on another, both of which came in non-conference play. The strong play of the trio of Locatelli, Wang, and Bianco took the Tartans into the second round of the NCAA tournament. However, the team’s season ended on Nov. 16, with a 2–0 loss to #9-ranked Washington and Lee University.
On the men’s soccer team, Gonzalez started 16 out of 18 games as an attacking midfielder. He finished with four goals and four assists and converted two penalty kicks. He scored two game-winning goals, one of which was the equalizer for the 1–1 tie against #19-ranked University of Chicago. Gonzales, the winner of the 2024 UAA Rookie of the Year award, was also named to the UAA second team in another strong season. Hoar-Weiler and Yamamoto, both juniors, contributed heavily to the team’s strong defensive performances in a season when the team notched 7 shutouts.
Garten and Fitzwilliam, two of the team’s eight freshmen, were routine starters and evolved into a key part of the team’s foundation. Garten, a forward, led the Tartans in goal-scoring, with eight goals on the season — four more than any other player on the team.
Fitzwilliam contributed on the defensive side of the ball, helping anchor a defense that was near the top of several defensive categories. Even in a season with setbacks — without mentioning it’s his first collegiate season — his play is an exciting reminder of the team’s defensive potential.
“Being named to the all-UAA first team in my rookie season is such a big honor, and I am very thankful that I have been considered for it,” Fitwzilliam said. “I definitely could not have gotten the award without my coaches, teammates, and parents helping me. This season was not easy for me; I had some injuries and setbacks, so to still persevere through it, I am grateful for all the people who supported me. I hope it’s just the beginning, and I continue to achieve more and become an even better soccer player.”
Savannah Milam is currently the Sports Editor for the 2025 calendar year. She is currently a senior studying Film & Visual Media and Guitar Performance. Her love of writing and storytelling led her to joining the Tartan her freshman year as a writer.