For the second day in a row, the Pitt women’s soccer program has added a transfer to their roster, this time it’s a former local player.
Pitt has announced that former Upper St. Clair High School and Dayton forward Landy Mertz has joined the Panther team. Mertz will have 3 years of eligibility remaining and will be permitted to join Pitt for the spring portion of the 2021 season.
This is a homecoming for Mertz, who was an All-American and the Post-Gazette Player of the Year at Upper St. Clair, after netting 20 goals as a senior and 56 for her career. While at Dayton, Mertz was named to the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie Team as a midfielder after scoring 3 goals and lead the team with 22 of 43 shots on goal.
“Being a Pittsburgh native, I am excited to come back to my hometown university,” said Mertz. “Pitt provides excellent academic and athletic opportunities, and I am excited for the challenge to study and compete at Pitt. Hail to Pitt!”
“We are excited to get Landy back to Pittsburgh,” said Pitt head coach Randy Waldrum. “Landy was one of the first players we saw in the recruiting process here when we took on the Pitt job. Unfortunately at that time she had already committed to Dayton but our staff felt like she was special and one of the top players coming out of Western Pennsylvania. Her ability to be dynamic in front of goal is what stands out the most. She can score goals and create goal scoring opportunities, coupled with her tireless work ethic and understanding of the game will be what makes her successful in our program. She’ll be a big part of our attack heading into the spring season.”
Mertz is the younger sister of Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielder Robbie Mertz.
The Panthers added Arkansas transfer Ashton Gordon on Wednesday, who will also have three years of eligibility and will join Pitt for the 2021 fall season.
