Small world
Riveters鈥� Hugh has familial ties to Fayette County
Chris Cowger | Riveters SC
Abi Hugh was born in the state of California and grew up in Huntington, W.Va., but when the St. Joseph Central Catholic High School graduate takes the field Friday for the Pittsburgh Riveters, she will be one of two players on the roster with ties to Fayette County.
The other player is obvious, as captain Tessa Dellarose, who was raised in Grindstone and graduated from Brownsville Area High School, has been in the local news plenty of times, but Hugh and Dellarose share a bond due to their familial ties.
Hugh’s dad, Chris, attended high school at Tri Valley (now Albert Gallatin) and her mom, Tammy, is a Laurel Highlands graduate. Her grandfather, Robert McKnight, who currently lives in Washington County, is a Uniontown native.
“It was neat to know that she (Dellarose) is from the same area as my parents,” Hugh said. “It is so tiny, so having that connection was kind of cool.
“My grandfather is one of my biggest fans, and he still attends church in Uniontown. My dad was in the Air Force, so I was born in California, but he was able to set up his practice in endodontics in Huntington.”
Hugh has visited Fayette County with her family, but the trips north were more frequent when she was younger.
Hugh won a state championship at St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in Huntington before staying in her hometown to continue her academic and soccer careers at Marshall University. Hugh played her final collegiate season at North Carolina State as a graduate transfer.
Hugh continued to train after her college career ended with aspirations of a professional career when the Riveters came calling.
“I got connected with the Riveters through my agent,” Hugh said. “He was connected with (Pittsburgh head coach) Scott (Gibson) and I came up in April and got some touches with Scott and the academy.
“This season has been phenomenal. I am trying to play professionally after this year is over, so I hope we continue to have success and I can get looks.”
Hugh has started all but one match for the Riveters, which was due to a personal engagement, and is eager for Pittsburgh’s playoff match against Minnesota Aurora FC on the fourth of July at Highmark Stadium. The winner of Friday’s game in the Central Conference semifinals plays either Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati or Detroit City FC in the conference final on Sunday at Highmark.
In five home matches, the Riveters have had two sellouts, and drawn well in other games despite having one that was delayed 36 minutes due to a lightning storm, and another that was played in a potential downpour.
“The fans show up whether we have rain or shine,” Hugh said. “It has been amazing. I have never played in front of that many people. Even though I was training, I hadn’t played a game in five months until I started with the Riveters.”
Many of the Riveters become emotional when discussing the opportunity to play in what is the closest to a professional women’s sports team in Pittsburgh. The team is in the USL W League, which is pre-professional, but the seed has been planted in taking the next step.
“The support we have received has been unreal,” Hugh said. “I think we will get to be a professional team one day. To see the young girls in the stadium and on the field when we do our autograph sessions after matches is really special. I am glad we can be an inspiration to a younger generation. It is insane to see how far women’s sports have come.”
Gibson has played Hugh at many different positions, but she is glad to help no matter where she is on the pitch.
“He (Gibson) has had me all over the place, and I am fine with that,” Hugh said. “Scott has been great, and is a great technical coach. I think we have a lot of potential, and Friday’s game should be a good one.”