December 13, 2011
CANADA'S BEST
Rutgers forward Pietrangelo named country's U-20 player of the year

Rutgers forward Amy Pietrangelo has enjoyed one memorable year. Rutgers photo by Tom Ciszek

Rutgers University forward Amy Pietrangelo (Laval, Quebec, Canada) has been named the Canadian Under-20 player of the year, the Canadian Soccer Association announced Tuesday.

“I am ecstatic for Amelia,” RU head coach Glenn Crooks said. “Soccer is her passion and not a day goes by that she is not working on her game in some capacity. She is currently with the full team with the hope of being named to the roster for Olympic qualifiers in January. We are all very proud of her.”

Pietrangelo is in her second season with the Canadian National Team. After making her debut at the international “A” level in December 2010, she was called into Canada’s camps in April and May and made her first appearance as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Netherlands on May 28.

At the Pan American Games, she came off the bench to score her first international goal against Costa Rica and made two more appearances as a starter en route to Canada’s gold medal in Guadalajara, Mexico.

A Scarlet Knight has received the award three out of the last four years, as Jonelle Filigno (Mississauga, ON, Canada) earned the accolade in 2008 and 2010.

Pietrangelo is in Fullerton, Calif., training with the National Team in preparation for the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament in Vancouver.