Gallery • 4 Photos

Gianna Fusco

Payton Pitman signs on for MTSU on Oviedo’s signing day. Pitman will join the Raiders program after four extremely successful seasons on the Girls Varsity team.

For the past four years the Oviedo girls soccer team has made one player a fixture in their forward group, Payton Pitman. Her contributions to the team have opened the door to competing at the next level.

Pitman has committed to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to continue a journey that is many years in the making. Now Pitman will have the chance to continue her career at a school that will for sure show off her unique talents.

“I found MTSU to be the best place to grow as a person and player,” said Pitman.

Pitman’s progression as a player has been a 4 year progression fueled by improvements on the field along with her improvements off the pitch.

“My experiences the past four years on the soccer team have taught me that growth comes from integrity. The best players get better when you are watching [the audience] and when you’re not,” said Pitman.

This mentality has helped Pitman turn into the player she is today while also improving the team around her.

“Payton has grown from a freshman full of energy and excitement to a senior leader with the same energy but more focused in channeling that energy in the right direction into the team and each game,” said girls soccer coach Scott Waisanen.

Pitman’s energy and excitement throughout her years on the team has helped her progress as a player and lead the Lions 61-10-5 record over her varsity career. This team success has taught Pitman another key to the game that has stuck with her: the importance of teamwork.

“I’ve also learned a lot the past four years about the importance of [a positive] culture for a team,” said Pitman.

This season the Lions have put it all together on the pitch and have compiled a 15-1-1 record that has placed them as the 18th best team in the nation. This success has been built on strong teamwork and a winning culture, but more importantly, Pitman and the team are enjoying the game.

“My favorite part of soccer is the people it’s brought me and the lessons it’s taught me. A soccer team is one of the best places to grow and the funnest place to be,” said Pitman.

The Lions scored 73 goals in their 16 regular-season games and Pitman, the two-time all-state forward, has heavily contributed to this offensive success.

Pitman will join a Raiders program that went 11-6-3 last season and progressed to the semifinals of the Conference USA conference championships.

“[MTSU] can expect a player who will give her best every day and will always compete for her team and herself as well as a person of integrity with a love of the game of soccer,” said Waisanen. “Payton has brought a positive attitude, a competitive spirit, a caring attitude and passion for the game of soccer that others can see and feed off of to make the team the best it can be. This won’t be any different as she continues her career at MTSU.”