Pitt’s Amanda West and Landy Mertz Receive TopDrawerSoccer recognition

Pitt women’s soccer fifth years in forward Amanda West and midfielder Landy Mertz both received honors on Tuesday.

TopDrawerSoccer recognized West as one of the best players in the country, ranking her No. 69 out of the top 100 players in Division I. West has played well so far in her first two games in 2023. She scored once against Buffalo in a 2-1 win on the road in the season opener last Thursday, Aug. 17 and then once again against Drexel, while also providing an assist in a 4-1 win in the home opener at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

West suffered a season-ending knee injury last season after just six games, in which she scored six goals. She has scored 41 goals over her career at Pitt, which is the most for any player in program history. With her in the attack, Pitt will serve as one of the best teams in the ACC and the country as well.

Mertz earned a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week honors to start the 2023 season. Mertz scored the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute against Buffalo and then two assists against Drexel in the next game, giving her four points on the season.

The Panthers have two games over this upcoming weekend. They travel to take on MAC opponent Kent State Thursday night at 7 p.m. and then host in-state Bucknell at home next Sunday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m., as they look to stay undefeated on the season.