BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh men's soccer alum and senior Mark Forrest is officially a professional soccer player after signing his first pro contract with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the USL Championship League, the highest level USL has to offer.
 
Forrest, the standout forward, was drafted by the Chicago Fire in the fourth round, 77th overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft earlier this year, but will join the Riverhounds after he graduates in May with his bachelor's degree in Management.
 
The senior finished his legendary Mountain Hawks career with 41 career goals and 21 assists for 103 points, second all-time in program history. Forrest finished the 2018 season by claiming his second consecutive Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honor after registering a team-high eight goals and five assists on the year. He was a First Team All-Atlantic Region honoree by the United Soccer Coaches and was a Senior CLASS Award First Team All-American selection.
 
"I'm very excited to be going out to Pittsburgh," said Forrest. "They are a very well established USL team and are coming off of a really good year.
 
"I'm looking forward to working hard between now and then and really showing them what I can do when I get there."
 
Forrest will become head coach Dean Koski's latest player to be signed by a professional team, following Jamie Luchini '15, who signed professionally with Bethlehem Steel FC upon graduation. Forrest was just the fifth player in Lehigh men's soccer history to be drafted by the MLS and will be the 15th player in Koski's tenure to play professionally.

"I'm excited for Mark to sign his first professional contract," said head coach Dean Koski. "Equally as important, it is great that the Chicago Fire and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC encouraged Mark to stay at Lehigh and finish his degree before joining the team. This is a wonderful opportunity for Mark and we wish him well in his pro career."
 
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