Fox Chapel girls soccer standout Emily McKee makes verbal commitment to Pitt

By: Michael Love
Monday, August 25, 2025 | 5:15 PM

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Several Division I women’s soccer programs connected with Emily McKee throughout her recruiting journey.

It gave the Fox Chapel junior and team captain a lot to think about.

But in the end, McKee, an all-section, All-WPIAL, and all-state selection who powered the Foxes program to much success in her first two varsity seasons, made sure everyone knew that Pitt was it.

She made her decision final to join the Panthers and announced her verbal commitment Sunday on X with thank-yous to friends, family, coaches and everyone else who supported her and made this dream a reality.

“I always have gone to their games and have seen them play,” said McKee, who scored a team-best 35 goals and added 10 assists in helping Fox Chapel reach last year’s WPIAL Class 3A title game and the PIAA playoffs. “Obviously, they are so close. I’ve always liked them. It is great to now be a part of the program.”

McKee, who also had offers from West Virginia, Dayton and Louisville, felt that now was the right time to give a verbal commitment.

“When I was looking at different schools, I knew exactly what I wanted,” McKee said. “Pitt fit everything perfectly. There was nothing more I needed. I thought it was perfect and the right time to make my decision.

“I went to one of their game days, and I was really impressed with their facilities. I met all of the girls, too. They are very nice. There is a really cool chemistry. The atmosphere there and the chemistry the team has made me really want to be a part of it. I also had great conversations with the coaches.”

McKee said it means a lot to be from a local school and join the Pitt program. She has seen players such North Allegheny’s Sarah Schupansky and Mars graduate Ellie Coffield have recent success in the program and then move on to bigger things in the sport.

Riverview grad Lola Abraham, along with Oakland Catholic grad Emily Cooper and North Allegheny’s Lucia Wells represent the WPIAL on this year’s Pitt team.

McKee said Pitt assistant Jesse Goleman, who also is involved with McKee’s Beadling club team, was instrumental in connecting McKee to the Panthers program.

“I’ve always known him,” McKee said. “He felt I would be a good fit at Pitt, and he gave me a call.”

Fox Chapel coach Carlo Prati said Pitt is getting a top-notch player, student, and person.

“We kind of figured she was going to get looked at by a lot of big schools,” he said. “I know she had Pitt on her mind along with WVU and a few others. I am so excited for her. Pitt is a really good program, and she will do wonders over there.

“We saw her in middle school because we did summer sessions with our middle school and high school programs together. Just seeing her then, we knew she was going to be extremely awesome as she got older. It is cool to see how far she’s come and how far she can continue to go.”

Fox Chapel kicked off its season Friday with a 3-1 win over Shady Side Academy. McKee was strong in the game with a hat trick. She came into the season with 59 career varsity goals.

“My teammates gave me some good passes, and it kind of just happened,” McKee said. “But I go into every game confident expecting to score goals.”

McKee said she likes the way the team is coming together in the early season and is excited to see what will develop over the next few months.

Fox Chapel is No. 2 in the WPIAL Class 3A rankings this week, one spot behind South Fayette. The Foxes traveled to face Shaler in a nonsection game Monday and will host Penn Hills on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

“Now that my class is part of that upperclassmen group — there are five starters in my class — we can help lead the team,” McKee said. “The whole time we’ve been here, we’ve known what it’s like to win games, and we are ready to help the younger girls who are stepping in. We’re still getting used to playing together, but I think we can do very well and challenge for a WPIAL title again.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Fox Chapel