PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Former Slippery Rock University men's soccer goalkeeper Greg Blum has signed a professional contract to play for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL PRO league for the 2011 season.

Blum marks the second Slippery Rock men's soccer player to sign a professional contract in the last two years, joining former and now current teammate Jeremy Deighton, who also plays for the Riverhounds.

The Riverhounds compete in the highly competitive USL PRO league, which is the second tier of professional soccer in America, behind only Major League Soccer.

Blum finished his collegiate career at SRU last fall as one of the most decorated players in program history. He was named the top goalkeeper in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference on three occasions and was named to three All-Atlantic Region teams. His most prestigious postseason accolade came in 2009, when he was named to All-America honors.

For his collegiate career, Blum appeared in 76 games and made 72 starts. He recorded a record of 46-23-4 with 21 shutouts, allowed 86 goals for a 1.15 goals against average and made 373 saves for a save percentage of .813.

Blum's best season came in 2009, when he posted a record of 17-4-1 to lead The Rock to a PSAC title and a trip to the NCAA Round of 16.

Deighton, who also starred on that 2009 Slippery Rock team, had a breakout year in his first season as a professional. He scored five goals in just 13 games for the Riverhounds in 2010 and was named the league's Rookie of the Year.

The Riverhounds open the regular season schedule April 9 at the Richmond Kickers. Pittsburgh plays the majority of its home games at Chartiers Valley High School, but will host one of the top teams in the league, the Rochester Rhinos, at Sox Harrison Stadium in Edinboro, Pa. June 17.

For more information on the Riverhounds, visit them on the web at www.riverhounds.com.