Babacar Diene

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Babacar Diene
Personal information
Full name Babacar Diene
Date of birth (1996-10-26) October 26, 1996 (age 27)
Place of birth Thiès, Senegal
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Number 27
Youth career
2022 FC Motown
2022–2023 Rider Broncs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Babacar Diene (born October 26, 1996)[1] is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward for the USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Before becoming a professional, Diene played for FC Motown in USL League Two.

Early life and education[edit]

Diene was born to Mody Diene in 1996 in Thiès. He has a younger sister, Khoudia.[2]

Diene graduated from CEM Ballabey High School before attending Rider University.[2]

Career[edit]

Amateur and college[edit]

In 2022, Diene played for FC Motown in USL League Two.[3]

Later that year, he joined the Rider Broncs. In 2022, he played all 17 of the Broncs's games and started in 16, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists. The following year, he scored 13 goals and 3 assists across 20 games. The following season, he scored 13 goals and 3 assists across 20 games.[2] On November 1, 2023, Diene scored a hattrick for the Broncs against Saint Peter's in the 4–1 win.[4] While with the Broncs, Diene played with Momo Diop, who originated from the same town in Senegal.[5]

Professional[edit]

After the conclusion of the 2023 season with the Broncs, Diene signed with the USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[6][7][8] Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley praised Diene for his speed and finishing ability.[9] He made his debut against New Mexico United on March 9 in the 1-0 loss.[10] In the third game of the season against Louisville City FC, Diene got his first goal contribution, assisting Edward Kizza's goal in the 3-1 loss.[11][12] A few weeks later, Diene scored his first professional goal, finding the back of the net in the 3-1 win over Phoenix Rising FC.[13][14][15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Babacar Diene". riverhounds.com. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Babacar Diene - Men's Soccer". Rider University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  3. ^ Wolpin, Zach (2022-06-28). "FC Motown STA Roster". FC Motown. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  4. ^ "Diene Records Hat Trick, Men's Soccer Defeats Saint Peter's, 4-1". Rider University Athletics. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  5. ^ "Babacar Diene and Momo Diop, the Senegalese connection, help send Rider men's soccer to NCAA Tournament". Trentonian. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  6. ^ "Pair of new additions signed to Hounds roster". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  7. ^ "Babacar Diene Signs Professional Contract With Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC". Rider University Athletics. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  8. ^ Krysinsky, John (2024-01-25). "Riverhounds sign forward Babacar Diene and defender Jake Lent-Koop plus announce release of midfielder DZ Harmon". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  9. ^ "Pittsburgh adds forward Babacar Diene for new season". USL Championship. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  10. ^ "New Mexico slips past Hounds in opener". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  11. ^ "Hounds unable to pick up points at Louisville". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  12. ^ Coreschi, Colton (2024-03-23). "Riverhounds' stumble at Louisville, 3-1, to extend season opening season losing streak to three matches". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  13. ^ "Defensive lapses cost Phoenix Rising in loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  14. ^ "Hounds topple reigning champs in Phoenix". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  15. ^ Triblive (2024-04-21). "Riverhounds take down defending champion Phoenix Rising FC". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 2024-04-21.