Amanda West

Canadian soccer player (born 2001)

Amanda West
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-02-11) February 11, 2001 (age 23)[1]
Place of birth Sundsvall, Sweden
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Houston Dash
Number 16
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2023 Pittsburgh Panthers 75 (50)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Houston Dash 13 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:25, June 30, 2024 (UTC)

Amanda West (born February 11, 2001) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Pittsburgh Panthers, for which she is the all-time top scorer. She was selected by the Dash in the 2024 NWSL Draft.

Early life

West was born in Sundsvall, Sweden, to Marc and Christine West, and has an older brother. Her father, who was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1985 NHL entry draft, played professional ice hockey overseas.[1][2] West was raised in Burlington, Ontario, where she played high school soccer for Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School and club soccer for Burlington Soccer Club.[1] She committed to the University of Pittsburgh in June 2018.[3]

College career

West was one of 21 new players for Randy Waldrum's Pittsburgh Panthers in the 2019 season, joining a program that was winless over the last three years.[2][4] She got off to a quick start with a hat trick in her first game vs. Loyola Marymount, goals in each of her first four games, and a goal or assist in her each of first six games, winning three.[4][5] She scored an overtime goal to beat Boston College for the program's first ACC win in three years.[6] She ended the season with ten goals and was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference third team and all-freshman team, becoming the first Panther to receive conference honors.[1] In the 2020 season, she ranked second in the ACC with 13 goals and was named to the All-ACC second team.[1][7]

West broke a Panthers program record with her 24th career goal in the first game of the 2021 season and added goals in each of the next four games.[1][7] She ended the year with ten goals and All-ACC third-team honors.[1] After scoring six goals in six games to start the 2022 season, West tore her ACL and meniscus, ruling her out for the year.[8] The Panthers went on to appear in the ACC tournament and NCAA tournament for the first time.[9]

West returned for her fifth year of eligibility in 2023, scoring 11 goals and receiving All-ACC second-team honors, as the Panthers went 17–6–1, their best record in program history.[1][10] In the quarterfinals of the 2023 ACC tournament, she scored an overtime goal that led Pittsburgh to defeat North Carolina for the first time and reach the conference semifinals for the first time, with West receiving all-tournament honors.[1][11] She contributed to the Panthers reaching their first national quarterfinals at the 2023 NCAA tournament, where they lost to eventual champions Florida State.[10][11] West holds multiple all-time program records, including most goals (50).[1]

Club career

Houston Dash, 2024–

West was selected by the Houston Dash with the 36th pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, becoming the first Panther to be drafted in the NWSL.[12] She was signed to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.[13] West made her debut on March 23 as a halftime substitute in the home opener against Racing Louisville FC.[14] She recorded her first professional assist to Diana Ordóñez in a loss to Portland Thorns FC on April 20.[15] She scored her first professional goal to draw 1–1 with the Kansas City Current on May 5.[15]

International career

West is eligible to represent Canada or Sweden (her mother's home country).[2] In November 2021, West was called into training camp with the Canadian national team, her first call-up at any level.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Amanda West – Women's Soccer". Pittsburgh Panthers. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Milton, Steve (April 12, 2021). "No. 2 in the NCAA? That would be Burlington's Amanda West". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Shealer, Sheldon (June 11, 2018). "Recruiting Roundup: June 11–17". TopDrawerSoccer. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Bobeck, Bob (September 10, 2019). "Amanda West is just getting started". The Pitt News. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  5. ^ Wilson, Mike (September 14, 2019). "Pitt soccer star Amanda West wraps six-game point streak". Cardiac Hill. SB Nation. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  6. ^ Wilson, Mike (October 11, 2019). "Pitt women's soccer beats Boston College in overtime for first ACC win since 2016". Cardiac Hill. SB Nation. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Wilson, Mike (August 20, 2021). "Amanda West sets record for career goals at Pitt". Cardiac Hill. SB Nation. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Krysinsky, John (September 14, 2022). "Pitt's leading scorer Amanda West announces likely season-ending knee injury; intends to return in 2023". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Hindle, Tom (November 10, 2022). "Women's DI Tournament First Round Preview". TopDrawerSoccer. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Kriger, Rachael (January 3, 2024). "No. 9 Forever: Amanda West recalls memorable five years at Pitt". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Coffey, Wayne (December 19, 2023). "After success at NCAA and World Cup levels, Randy Waldrum has turned Pitt into a contender". The Athletic. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  12. ^ Kyrsinsky, John (January 13, 2024). "Amanda West, Landy Mertz Become First NWSL Draft Selections in Pitt Women's Soccer Program History". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "Mertz, West Sign NWSL Professional Contracts; Former Teammates Set to Faceoff in Season Opener Saturday". Pittsburgh Panthers. March 15, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "Houston Dash Open Home Slate in Front Of Record Breaking Crowd". Houston Dash. March 23, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Kriger, Rachael (June 6, 2024). "A Special Feeling: Amanda West on dream start to rookie season with the Houston Dash". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  16. ^ "Amanda West Selected to Canada National Team Camp". Pittsburgh Panthers. November 18, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2024.

External links

  • Amanda West at Soccerway