2022 was Penn men’s soccer’s most impressive season in nearly ten years. An undefeated home record, sweet revenge over Princeton to secure an Ivy League Championship title, an exciting NCAA Tournament run, a pair of Major League Soccer draftees, and a trio of professional contract signings. Whose name is accounted for in each? None other than senior forward Ben Stitz.
Stitz surely made the most of his final year in Red and Blue. The senior entered the 2022 season with only three goals and 10 assists to his name in 48 career matches, yet proceeded to lead the Quakers with 11 goals — tied for the most with sophomore forward Stas Korzeniowski — and eight assists this fall.
It’s no doubt that much of Penn’s success this past year was at the hands — or rather, feet — of Stitz. In the thick of the team's monumental season, Stitz embarked on a seven-game scoring streak — eventually earning him second-team All-Region and second-team All-Ivy honors. The captain saw postseason success too, scoring two goals in the first round of NCAA play to propel the Red and Blue to a 3-0 victory over Rutgers. With this, he became the first Quaker to record a 10-plus goal season in 27 years.
Stitz’s historic 2022 campaign earned him the 31st overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft back in December by D.C. United, before signing with FC Cincinnati 2 this past February.
Although the senior’s time with Penn has come to a close, his impact as a skilled attacker, and fearlessness in front of the net will always be remembered — especially with the coveted Edwin Henry Parkhurst III trophy forever commemorating the 2022 Quaker team he led.
The talent he has displayed throughout his Penn career leaves no doubt that Stitz is set to achieve immeasurable success in his professional career ahead.
Read about the rest of DP Sports' End of the Year Awards for the 2022-23 season here.
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