:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69411486/web_west.0.jpg)
The Pitt women’s soccer team posted its best record to date last season, as it went 11-5, and the team owes much of its recent success to the exceptional play of Amanda West. The Canadian star has been almost unstoppable in the Pitt attack, and this week, she was named a first-team All-Canadian by First Touch Football. The organization also recognized the Pitt forward as the 2021 All-Canadian MVP.
“In this unprecedented year, many Canadians displayed amazing talent and ability,” FTF said. “Amanda West was one of the best players in college soccer this year without a doubt. Her stats speak for themselves.”
West was one of two players from the ACC to earn first-team All-Canadian honors from FTF, as Florida State defender Gabby Carle was also recognized. Pitt forward Leah Pais made the second team, and Anna Bout received honorable mention. Carle was also named All-Canadian Defender of the Year by FTF, but West took home the highest individual honor.
West, who hails from Burlington, Ontario, has been a star since her arrival on campus in 2019. As a freshman, she led the team in goals, assists and points, with 10, nine and 29, respectively, and her point total set a single-season program record. But last season, she took her game to new heights.
As a sophomore, West once again led the team in goals, assists and points, with 13, seven and 33. Her goal total ranked fifth in the nation, and her point total ranked third in the nation. And on top of her individual achievements, West also led a stronger Pitt team to its best showing in a season since the program’s founding in 1996.
For her efforts, West earned first-team all-region honors and a spot on the All-ACC second team. Both honors were firsts in program history, but the argument could easily be made that West deserved a spot on the first team, as she was tied for the conference lead in points and ranked second in the conference in scoring. But despite the ACC’s snub, she was rightly recognized at the national level and will enter next season as one of the top two offensive threats in the conference.