Raised in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, Gmitter-Pittaro played for the Steinert Spartans in high school, where she was a three-time All-American and set the school career record with 177 goals.[3][4][5] She also played basketball and volleyball while at Steinert.[6] In college, she played for the George Mason Patriots from 1983 to 1986, helping the team to win the 1985 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. In total, she scored 64 goals and recorded 18 assists in 84 appearances for the Patriots. Her career goal tally ranks second in school history, while her career points (goals and assists) of 146 ranks third. She was an NSCAA All-American in all four seasons, being included in the first team in 1983, 1985, and 1986, and the third team in 1984. She was also an NSCAA First-Team All-Region in all four seasons, and was Soccer America Player of the Year in 1985. She was included in the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 1983, where she was chosen as the offensive MVP, the championship-winning 1985 tournament, and 1986.[7]
Gmitter-Pittaro made her international debut for the United States on July 7, 1986 in the 1986 North American Cup friendly tournament against Canada. In total, she made twelve appearances for the U.S. and scored three goals,[8] earning her final cap on December 20, 1987 in a friendly match against Chinese Taipei.[2] In 1990, she also appeared for the United States B team in the North American Cup, scoring one goal in a 2–3 loss against Germany.[9]
Gmitter-Pittaro later coached youth soccer, including the boys' junior varsity team at Steinert High School. She was inducted into Steinert's Hall of Fame in 2006, and is a member of the Mercer County Athletic Hall of Fame and Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame.[6] She was also included in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer 25th Anniversary Team in 2006.[11]
Personal life
Gmitter-Pittaro has worked as a teacher in the Hamilton Township School District,[12] and is married to former professional baseball player Chris Pittaro. She has two children with Chris, as well as a stepdaughter.[13] Her daughter Giana played soccer for the Yale Bulldogs,[14] while her son C.J. is college baseball player at Penn State.[15]
^"Candidates for Bachelor's Degrees – College of Education and Human Services: Department of Health, Sport, and Leisure Studies – Major in Physical Education (Bachelor of Science in Education)". Twenty-first Annual Spring Commencement. Fairfax, Virginia: George Mason University. May 21, 1988. p. 22.
^Fisher, Rich (November 30, 2015). "Gmitter, Pittaro continue families' proud history at Steinert". Community News. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019. Two of the biggest cogs on this year's team are also part of Hamilton Township sports royalty.... Her mother, Lisa, is Steinert's varsity assistant and the school's all-time goal scorer with 177.
^ abc"Lisa (Gmitter) Pittaro". Steinert High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
