Being a member of the McKee family means upholding a significant soccer legacy. For Emily, a sophomore standout on the Foxes girls soccer team, it might seem like she is accomplishing that task effortlessly, but the reality is that she is a hardworking and gritty player. Her coach, Carlo Prati, refers to her as “amazing and unbelievably talented.”
The statistics back it up: Emily just collected her 50th career goal at the recent game against Gateway High School on October 9 and has 14 assists to her name. Last year, as a freshman, she finished the year with 24 goals and 11 assists. This season, she returned in even better form and has scored 26 goals this season, with three assists.
Scoring that milestone goal was something Emily knew could come that night, and she actually wanted it to come at a home game.
“I turned the defender, and it went in the left corner, and when the ball entered the net on the second goal, it was truly awesome,” says Emily. “My team was cheering for me; they made the whole night. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.
“Getting 50 is unbelievable, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other team. When I heard the announcement that it was my 50th goal, it was just amazing. The night was very special and a great accomplishment, but all my teammates made it so much better. I truly love soccer, my teammates, and our coaches.”
However, Emily still has other goals she wants to accomplish. With the Foxes recently claiming the 2024 WPIAL Class 3A Section 1 title with an unblemished section record, and the playoffs fast approaching, Emily’s numbers are expected to climb even more. Most of all, she wants to be a part of getting that third WPIAL crown.
Destined to Play
Emily’s love for soccer seems to be in her genes. Her father, Jack, contributed to Foxes teams that earned section titles in 1981 and 1983, and her mother, Michelle, played NCAA Division I soccer for St. Francis University. Her sister, Elizabeth, helped the Foxes earn section championships in 2017 and 2020. Additionally, Emily has an uncle who was on the boys team that claimed a PIAA runner-up title.
However, one of Emily’s most unique soccer connections is with her aunt Regina, who played on the 1985 Foxes squad that captured the school’s first-ever WPIAL championship.
Last season, Emily played a key role in guiding the Foxes to the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs. In a thrilling upset, the team defeated perennial power North Allegheny in the finals to claim the Fox Chapel Area program’s second WPIAL title.
Early Standout
From the time Emily was young, her passing, creativity, versatility, and speed set her apart from other players her age. By the time she was 14, she was already on the radar of college coaches. She started receiving invitations to attend elite ID camps, including the National Girls Academy and the United States Youth National Team (USYNT) ID camps. ID camps are platforms that enable players to display their talents in front of college coaches. While NCAA rules prevent direct contact with young players, college coaches from schools such as Kentucky, Purdue, Vanderbilt, and WVU have expressed interest through her current coaches.
Emily still continues to impress coach Prati, who says, “Emily is a game-changer. She makes everything look effortless. She is quick on the ball and ruthless in front of the net. If you give her an inch of space, she will make you pay. She’s not just a goal scorer; she’s very team-oriented as well. She is a leader and always looking to improve the players around her. We knew when we saw her in middle school that she was going to be something special. She could have started on the varsity team in seventh grade.”
That notoriety, however, has also made her a marked player for opponents.
“Soccer players at this level are very physical,” says Emily, the only freshman to be named to the 2023 WPIAL Class 4A all-star team. “If they can’t stop you, they knock you over. Everyone is usually decently fast, so now you must rely on your physical strength. Last season, not everyone knew who I really was, but this year, since we won the WPIAL title, I am more of a target, so I take hits. Being able to be creative really helps in my 1v1 battles in the attack.”
Unforgettable Moment This Season
Emily has delivered many standout performances, but there is one snapshot in time that is her favorite so far this season. It occurred at Mars Area High School, a dominant force in class 3A for 14 years. Mars has one of the longest winning streaks in the WPIAL and owns several WPIAL and state titles. However, Fox Chapel Area’s move to 3A this year scrambled the scenario.
“We were at their field, and they hardly ever lost there,” Emily recalls. “Cassie (Classen) brought the ball up from the outside defense and launched a shot that hit the crossbar. But I slid in right behind Mars’ defense and trapped the ball. It was just me and the goalie. She took me out as I was shooting, but it ended up as the winning goal.”
The Foxes won that game 1-0 and followed it up with a 2-1 victory in their second matchup.
Being part of this squad and soccer history means a lot to Emily.
“I get the chance to be on such an amazing team,” she says. “I love all the friends I’ve made because of soccer. Winning (the WPIAL championship) last year made us even closer.”
Balancing Sports and Life
Despite her rigorous soccer commitments, which last about 10 months of the year, Emily still makes time to play basketball, a sport she has loved since first grade.
“The team is a great group of girls to be a part of and Coach (Marty) Matvey is a tremendous support to me to be able to play both sports,” Emily says.
Her offseason comes during the summer months. “I train to stay in shape, splitting between distance and sprint intervals,” she explains.
Emily also excels academically.
“I push myself on the field, but also in the classroom as well,” says the multisport athlete. “I always strive to get all As, even taking some accelerated classes. I want to be a good example for others and be a good teammate or friend and help anyone who needs it.”
Coach Prati adds, “Emily is such a joy to watch and coach. This team has gelled together so nicely over the last two years, and you can tell by the way they play on the field. These girls truly care about each other and want to continue to push each other to be better and better. Emily is a huge part of that; she is only a sophomore, but already a big role model. I’m sure she will be a part of some more amazing moments and score a ton more goals here at Fox Chapel Area High School. I’m blessed to be a part of that.”