Jul 31, 2025 By Jonathan Guth 3 min read

The accolades keep on piling up for Abi Hugh, which started with her being selected as the Great Forest Division Player of the Year on Wednesday.

Hugh, who played for the Pittsburgh Riveters in its inaugural season, received more good news on Thursday when she was named to the second team of the USL W League.

The former Marshall and North Carolina State product who won a state championship while playing for St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in Huntington, W.Va., has familial ties to Fayette County, as her dad, Chris, attended high school at Tri Valley (now Albert Gallatin) and her mom, Tammy, is a Laurel Highlands graduate. Her grandfather, Robert McKnight, currently lives in Washington County, but he is a Uniontown native.

Abi Hugh has stated that McKnight is her “biggest fan.”

Hugh started in 10 of the Riveters’ 11 matches. Her only time not starting was when she had an off-field commitment that forced her to miss a match. She played 862 minutes, which was the third most on the team, at four different positions.

Hugh started at left back in the team’s opening match, but due to absences and injuries, Hugh moved to different spots on the pitch. She started four matches at left back, three at center back, two as a defensive midfielder and one as an attacking midfielder on the left side.

Hugh helped Pittsburgh to a 6-1-3 regular-season record while only conceding a division-low nine goals. The Riveters won the division title before falling in the playoffs to Minnesota Aurora, 2-0, at Highmark Stadium on July 4.

Hugh responded via text message from Limassol, Cyprus, as she recently signed her first professional contract with Apollon Ladies FC.

“I couldn’t be more appreciative of these awards,” Hugh’s text read. “Without an amazing coaching staff, behind the scenes work and my teammates, none of this would be possible.

“I am so grateful that I got to be part of an amazing inaugural season, and I can’t wait to see the development of this team! Go Riveters!”

Apollon is the defending champion of the Cypriot First Division and begins its season in August during the second qualifying round for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Hugh was a key cog on Pittsburgh’s backline, but she proved that she can produce offensively, especially on set pieces. Hugh had one assist this season, but it was in a crucial situation, as her pinpoint cross in the run of play set up Olivia Damico’s header for a second goal in the Riveters’ 3-1 road win at Steel City FC.