WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW goalkeeper Jacob Randolph will begin his professional career after signing a contract with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, a member of the USL Championship league, on Monday.

Randolph spent the previous two seasons with the Seahawks after transferring from Barton College. He produced seven shutouts and 47 saves across 15 games in 2023.

The contract is a one-year deal with a team option for the 2025 season, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.

"We are super excited for Jacob. He has all the attributes to be a top goalkeeper," said UNCW Head Coach Aidan Heaney. "Playing in the USL Championship will be a fantastic opportunity for his development. Jon Busch is a very good goalkeeper trainer and will be a great mentor for Jacob."

The Metairie, La., product recorded 16 clean sheets and notched 160 saves from 2019-23 while playing for the Bulldogs and Seahawks.

Randolph totaled six contests with at least four saves, including a career-high seven blocks in a shutout win at South Carolina in early September. The 6-4 netminder, who also shut out East Tennessee State that week, was honored as the Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week and appeared on TopDrawerSoccer's National Team of the Week.

The Riverhounds, founded in 1999, are the current holders of the USL Players' Shield after earning the league's top regular season record at 19-5-10. Pittsburgh also reached the quarterfinals of the USL Championship Playoffs as the Eastern Conference's top seed as well as the quarters of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.

Randolph is the second Seahawk to turn professional this winter after All-CAA midfielder Pep Casas was selected in the third round (61st overall) of the MLS SuperDraft by Inter Miami CF.