Mertz, Abanikanda Named PNC Achievers of the Week
9/26/2022 2:07:00 PM | General
PITTSBURGH – Women's Soccer's Landy Mertz and Israel Abanikanda from Football were named PNC Achievers of the Week after another weekend full of wins from Pitt Athletics Programs.
Senior Landy Mertz produced a pair of game-winning goals to lead the Pitt women's soccer team (10-1, 3-0 ACC) to a pair of wins, keeping the Panthers' perfect start to ACC play intact. Mertz scored in the 52nd minute on a set piece to put Pitt ahead as the Panthers put together a 3-1 comeback win over Miami last Thursday at Ambrose Urbanic Field. She then scored the go-ahead goal in the 66th minute with a great finish following a long run down the right side of the field in Pitt's 3-1 victory over No. T-17 Notre Dame on Sunday in South Bend.
Mertz's second game winner of the week allowed the Panthers to earn their first-ever victory over the Fighting Irish, keep their best start to a season in program history intact and match the 2015 squad for the best start to ACC play in program history. Mertz finished the week ranked second on the team in points (16) and tied for second in goals (6) on the season.
Pitt junior running back Israel Abanikanda rushed for career highs of 177 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries—an impressive 9.3 average. His touchdowns covered 67, 12, 24 and 13 yards. Abanikanda added a 19-yard reception for a total of 196 yards from scrimmage and 245 all-purpose yards against the Rams.
Abanikanda has now rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games, the first time a Pitt player has accomplished that feat since Darrin Hall in 2017. Abanikanda's four rushing TDs against URI are Pitt's most since Hall also had four against North Carolina during the 2017 season.
On the year, Abanikanda is posting national-caliber numbers. Through four contests, the junior has rushed for 479 yards and six touchdowns on 83 carries (5.8 avg.). He boasts top-10 national rankings in all-purpose yards (second, 180.25 avg.), rushing yards (sixth, 119.8 avg.), total touchdowns (fifth, seven total), rushing TDs (seventh, six total) and scoring (10th, 10.5 avg.). He leads the ACC in all-purpose yards, rushing yards, rushing yards per game and total touchdowns.
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Senior Landy Mertz produced a pair of game-winning goals to lead the Pitt women's soccer team (10-1, 3-0 ACC) to a pair of wins, keeping the Panthers' perfect start to ACC play intact. Mertz scored in the 52nd minute on a set piece to put Pitt ahead as the Panthers put together a 3-1 comeback win over Miami last Thursday at Ambrose Urbanic Field. She then scored the go-ahead goal in the 66th minute with a great finish following a long run down the right side of the field in Pitt's 3-1 victory over No. T-17 Notre Dame on Sunday in South Bend.
Mertz's second game winner of the week allowed the Panthers to earn their first-ever victory over the Fighting Irish, keep their best start to a season in program history intact and match the 2015 squad for the best start to ACC play in program history. Mertz finished the week ranked second on the team in points (16) and tied for second in goals (6) on the season.
Pitt junior running back Israel Abanikanda rushed for career highs of 177 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries—an impressive 9.3 average. His touchdowns covered 67, 12, 24 and 13 yards. Abanikanda added a 19-yard reception for a total of 196 yards from scrimmage and 245 all-purpose yards against the Rams.
Abanikanda has now rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games, the first time a Pitt player has accomplished that feat since Darrin Hall in 2017. Abanikanda's four rushing TDs against URI are Pitt's most since Hall also had four against North Carolina during the 2017 season.
On the year, Abanikanda is posting national-caliber numbers. Through four contests, the junior has rushed for 479 yards and six touchdowns on 83 carries (5.8 avg.). He boasts top-10 national rankings in all-purpose yards (second, 180.25 avg.), rushing yards (sixth, 119.8 avg.), total touchdowns (fifth, seven total), rushing TDs (seventh, six total) and scoring (10th, 10.5 avg.). He leads the ACC in all-purpose yards, rushing yards, rushing yards per game and total touchdowns.
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