Fox Chapel girls soccer faces new challenges, sets same championship goals

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Fox Chapel girls soccer coach Carlo Prati spent the preseason searching for the right combination of players. With the environment the program has created, Prati believes the solutions will eventually work themselves out on the field.

Fox Chapel reached the WPIAL Class 3A final last season but fell 4-0 to defending champion South Fayette.

The Foxes lost six starters from last year’s team but are striving to reach the district championship game for the third consecutive season.

“Every year is its own little challenge for us,” Prati said. “A lot of teams are heavy with starters who are seniors and juniors. Everyone who comes out for the program gets a look whether you are a senior or junior. That helps our program because it doesn’t allow players to stay content.”

Junior forward Emily McKee is one of those players who is difficult to hold down. McKee led Fox Chapel with 35 goals and 10 assists last season, despite attracting plenty of attention after scoring 24 goals as a freshman.

McKee was voted as a team captain this year and will be counted on to lead the attack.

“Every year, I tell her it’s going to be a little bit more difficult because of the increased attention,” Prati said. “She knocks it out of the park. She’s definitely one of our leaders. There are a couple freshmen who are new that can play on the wing or striker and she’s been working hard to mentor them.”

The Foxes will also bring back senior forward Cassie Classen, who Prati said is a versatile player. Juniors Taylor Wilkinson and Caylie Wilkinson, who play forward and defender, respectively, will also return.

Antonia Linzoain, a junior midfielder, will also play an important role for Fox Chapel.

Fox Chapel opened last season on a 16-match unbeaten streak and ran away with the Section 1-3A title. The Foxes were 10-0 in section and outscored their opponents 50-2.

Prati believes losing the way they did to South Fayette will be a major motivator for the Foxes. Fox Chapel bounced back in the state playoffs by beating Hollidaysburg in the first round but was knocked out by Lower Dauphin in the quarterfinals.

“A lot of the girls, including the girls who are still here now, myself and the coaching staff, were disappointed in the WPIAL final and state playoffs,” Prati said. “I harp on the girls, it was great to make the final again, but we want to do better. The juniors and seniors on this team know what it’s like to win in the final and to lose in the final. We have both perspectives.”

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