Trio of NPSL Alums Shine for #1 Ranked Ohio State
A trio of NPSL alums has led Ohio State men’s soccer to a #1 ranking and an appearance in the NCAA quarterfinals. Goalkeeper Patrick McLaughlin, midfielder Luciano Pechota, and midfielder Tommaso Villa have turned their NPSL success into incredible performances at the collegiate level.
All three spent the summer with NPSL side Akron City FC in 2024.
McLaughlin has made six appearances for Ohio State in 2024, registering 12 saves and an impressive 1.18 GAA in 532 minutes of play. He was named an OSU Scholar Athlete in 2024.
The Broadview Heights, Ohio native was a three-year letterwinner at powerhouse St. Ignatius, finishing as both a state and national champion. In 2022, he served as a team captain and received All-American and All-Greater Cleveland First Team honors. He starred for Spire FC on the club side and was a team captain. That team was Region 2 Champions in 2021.
Pechota has started 14 games for the Buckeyes in 2024, registering two goals and three assists in 1069 minutes of play. The Avon, Ohio native appeared in 52 games (36 starts) since 2022, registering eight goals and seven assists in 3357 minutes of play. He has earned a great deal of recognition in the college ranks, including Second Team All-Big Ten (2023 and 2024), Big Ten Sportsmanship Team (2023), Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (2023), Wolstein Classic All-Tournament Team (2022), OSU Scholar Athlete (2023 and 2024), Academic All-Big Ten (2023), and Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2022) honors.
Pechota also hails from St. Ignatius, where he was a four-year letterwinner. He led the program to three state titles and a national championship. His individual accomplishments were equally impressive, earning Ohio Mr. Soccer, United Soccer Coaches National High School Player of the Year, All-America, and Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year honors during his high school career.
Villa appeared in 13 matches (two starts) for Ohio State in 2024. The Twinsburg, Ohio native has played four seasons for the Buckeyes, accumulating 48 appearances (four starts), one goal, and 1234 minutes of play.
Villa played for the Columbus Crew Academy and has even trained with the Crew’s first team. He has some international experience with trials at Fulham, Bromley, and Crewe Alexandria in England. He captained teams in both the Gothia Cup and Dana Cup, winning the latter competition.
No. 1 Ohio State faces off against No. 8 Wake Forest on Saturday, December 7th. The Buckeyes have already defeated Western Michigan and No. 16 Stanford in the tourney.
Photo Credit: Nicole McCray/Columbus Wired
