Selfless style has Fox Chapel girls back on path to playoff berth

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Emily McKee has spent her freshman season keeping her eyes out for her teammates. When the Fox Chapel girls soccer team goes on the attack, players are always looking to find different ways to create strong scoring opportunities.

“We have been working on playing as a team, not being selfish and finding the open player,” McKee said. “We want to win the game and help each other out.”

The Foxes have found a lot of success finding the back of the net. Fox Chapel has scored 30 goals, including 22 in section play. McKee has been the team’s leading scorer, contributing 11 goals and five assists before the Foxes’ game against North Hills on Sept. 27 at home.

Fox Chapel coach Carlo Prati has been happy with how the Foxes’ attack has developed.

“This season has seen a lot of goals scored between everyone. Everyone is spaced out,” Prati said. “I think a lot of it comes from hunger of not making the playoffs. They knew how bad it was last year to miss. The morale was bad, and we didn’t click with all the injuries we had.”

Getting a group of freshmen who could contribute right away also added energy to the program.

Caylie Wilkinson, Taylor Wilkinson, Antonia Linzoain and McKee have all carved out starting roles on the team.

McKee said that stepping out onto the field for the first time was an eye-opener. Fox Chapel’s first section match was against perennial WPIAL title challenger Seneca Valley. The Foxes lost that match 2-1.

“It was definitely a big difference,” McKee said. “The girls were a lot more aggressive. Some of the girls I had to go against were seniors. It was exciting, but it made me nervous.”

Nothing was given to anyone on the roster. Fox Chapel was engaged in a healthy competition in the preseason.

“I watched them a bunch in middle school and knew they knew how to play,” Prati said. “They looked like they’ve been playing for years. They aren’t the type to think, ‘I have my position and will let them win the ball in practice.’ They will take you on at practice. They don’t care. They are young and can run all day.”

Fox Chapel, which is in position to make the playoffs with a 6-3-1 overall and 4-3-1 Section 1-4A record, has been locked in grueling battles throughout section play. The Foxes’ three losses were all in one-goal games with Seneca Valley, Butler and North Allegheny.

During the rematch with the Raiders, Fox Chapel was happy to earn a 1-1 draw. Bella Urso hit the shot that got deflected into the net for the Foxes.

“Last year, we lost in double overtime and tied,” Prati said. “They are a super tough team. Every team in the section is tough. Both teams had their chances. I think a tie was fair.”

McKee believes the Foxes can play better if there is more energy at the outset.

“I think we need to improve on starting out the game,” she said. “If we can get a better start to the game, we can come out with the result we want.”

Tags: Fox Chapel