WPIAL, Beadling standouts Aunkst and Stahl commit to WVU

West Virginia University women’s soccer program has been a top notch, National Championship contending program in recent years — and they’ve now added a pair of players from Western PA to their roster.

WVU’s head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown announced the addition of three new players on Wednesday — and two are from Western PA, both have been regulars with Beadling Soccer Club – Mackenzie Aunkst (Penn-Trafford) and Alina Stahl (Baldwin).

The pair from Western PA complete the Mountaineers’ 2018 signing class, which includes Jordan Brewster along with previously announced freshmen Addison Clark, Lizzie Mayfield, Mara Rodriguez and Nahla Turner, as well as transfers Nadya Gill and Kayla Morrison.

“This is an exciting day, and we’re thrilled to welcome our final three ladies to the WVU Family,” Izzo-Brown said. “These student-athletes will add a dynamic and hard-working flair to the team. This class is so committed to continuing our tradition of success. They are each motivated and committed to excellence, and that’s exciting.” 

Aunkst and Stahl will be joining Hannah Abraham (Albert Gallatin), from those on WVU roster representing WPIAL schools.
Here’s a little more background on Aunkst and Stahl.

Mackenzie Aunkst, 5-7, Defender, Harrison City, Pennsylvania

Multi-year member of Beadling Soccer Club … led Beadling to the 2017 State Cup and Region 1 Championship … also 2016 Region 1 league champion … named to the 2017 All-Pennsylvania Team while playing for Penn-Trafford High — which won the WPIAL Class 4A title in 2017 … two-time All-WPIAL honoree … three-time all-section and Big 56 Player selection … also ran track and played basketball for Penn-Trafford … in track, broke three school records as a freshman and was a two-time state qualifier … earned three all-section basketball honors … daughter of Tim and Lisa Aunkst … has one sister and one brother … birthday is March 17.

Alina Stahl, 5-6, Forward, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Eight-year member of Beadling Soccer Club (2010-18) … led Beadling to the 2017 State Cup and Region 1 Championship … also 2016 Region 1 league champion … named to the 2015 Olympic Development Program (ODP) State and Region 1 Teams … named to 2014 ODP State Team … team captain at Baldwin High and finished four-year career with 91 goals … named to the 2017 All-Pennsylvania Team … two-time Big 56 Player honoree … three-time All-WPIAL player … four-time all-section honoree … also ran track at Baldwin High … daughter of Larry and Lia Stahl … has two sisters and one brother … birthday is Nov. 8.

WVU women concluded 2017 season ranked No. 10 in the final United Soccer Coaches Poll and the TopDrawerSoccer.com Women’s Division I Top 25 National Rankings.

The Mountaineers (16-4-3, 7-1-1) were ranked within the top 10 of both polls all of last year — earning yet another berth in the NCAA National Tournament — where they lost a home Sweet 16 match to regional rivals Penn State.

WVU had opened the season at No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, a position it held for two weeks, and reached as high as No. 3 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com Rankings, which it held for three weeks.

 WVU has not ranked outside of the top 10 of the coaches poll since the third week of the 2015 season.