Landy Mertz

Lauren Landy Mertz (born July 19, 2000) is an American former professional soccer player. She played college soccer for the Dayton Flyers and Pittsburgh Panthers and was drafted by the North Carolina Courage in the fourth round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.

Early life

Mertz grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest of four children born to Kelly and Rob Mertz. Her father played college soccer for Grove City College; her brother Robbie has played professionally for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Atlanta United 2; and her brother Ryan played in college for Delaware. As a freshman in 2015, she helped the Panthers win the PIAA championship and was named the team's Rookie of the Year. She was the team's most valuable player as a sophomore, then captained the team in her last two seasons, though she missed much of her junior year with an ankle injury.

College career

Mertz played one season at the University of Dayton in 2019, scoring three goals and adding two assists, and was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference's All-Rookie Team. She scored three goals in two appearances in 2020–21, then led the Panthers with seven assists in fifteen games in 2021. The next year, Pittsburgh reached the NCAA tournament quarterfinals, again losing to Florida State, who also beat them in the ACC tournament semifinals. The team surpassed last year's record with 17 wins, and Mertz set a program record with 14 assists on the season. She was named to the All-ACC third team in her last two seasons.

Club career

The North Carolina Courage drafted Mertz with the 52nd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NWSL Draft. She was signed to a three-year contract. She made her professional debut on May 24, substituting in the 84th minute in a 3–0 away defeat to the Houston Dash. On July 31, she scored her first professional goal in the 90th minute in a 3–0 win against Monterrey in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup group stage. She was waived by the Courage on December 9.

Honors

Individual Third-team All-ACC: 2022, 2023 ACC tournament all-tournament team: 2023