National Womens Soccer League’s Washington Spirit Signs Viera’s Katie Stengel

Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer

The Washington Spirit recently announced the club has signed forward Katie Stengel.

Stengel attended Viera High School where she excelled in soccer, and was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 after an All-American career at Wake Forest.

“I am looking forward to playing for the Washington Spirit this upcoming season,” said Stengel.

“I’ve always wanted to play in the NWSL, and now I get the chance to represent an incredible club.”

Stengel helped lead Bayern Munich to the 2014-2015 Frauen-Bundesliga title with a team-leading nine goals. She has made six appearances for the United States U-23 Women’s National Team.

Stengel was a member of the United States U-20 team which won the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship.

Stengel attended college at Wake Forest University where she finished with a school record 50 goals in 75 games. She was a four time All-ACC honoree and a three time All-American.

“Katie Stengel is one of the top signings in the NWSL this off season,” said Spirit general manager and head coach Jim Gabarra.

“She is a quality forward who will complement the Spirit’s attack. I look forward to working with her and integrating her talents into our club.”

Viera’s Katie Stengel Inducted In Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame

ABOVE VIDEO: Katie Stengel was a three-time All-American and named the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2011 en route to leading the Demon Deacons to the NCAA College Cup that year. In 2012, Stengel earned First Team All-ACC honors, even though she had missed half of the season because she was busy winning the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Japan as a member of Team USA.

KATIE STENGEL – 2014 INDUCTEE

• Three-Time All-American

• Wake Forest All-Time Scorer

•  U.S. Women’s National Team

BEST EVER AT WAKE FOREST

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (May 2, 2014) – Katie Stengel grew up kicking a ball around West Melbourne and Palm Bay soccer fields.

“My dad always played and I was always around the game,” said Stengel, now a senior at Wake Forest University.

It turns out Stengel was so good at kicking that soccer ball that Wake Forest offered her a scholarship to come play for them.

In return, Stengel presented them with a scholar athlete that is the most accomplished player in Wake Forest women’s soccer history.

As a freshman in 2010, Stengel had one of the best seasons of any player in Wake Forest history.

The program’s all-time leading scorer, she has tallied 50 goals and 125 points in 75 games, leading the Demon Deacons in 2010 to their first ACC Championship.

The three-time All-American was named the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2011 en route to leading the Demon Deacons to the NCAA College Cup that year.

In 2012, she earned First Team All-ACC honors, even though Stengel had missed half of the season because she was busy winning the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Japan as a member of Team USA.

Although her senior season was cut short because of a blood clot on her leg, Stengel recovered and was back on the field in January.

The 2014 season is already proving to be a great year for Stengel, who helped the Under-23 team win the Six Nations Tournament in Spain in February.

This year, she was also called up to the U.S. Women’s National Team for its April matches against China. She is the first-ever Demon Deacon player to join the senior national team.

She joins Virginia’s Morgan Brian and UCLA’s Kristie Mewis as the only three college players on the 24-person roster.

There’s a lot more to Stengel than soccer, too. Even though her national team commitments have kept her away from campus for weeks at a time, she maintains a 3.4 GPA in health and exercise science, one of Wake Forest’s more difficult majors and one that often attracts pre-med students.

Four year-letter winner and valedictorian of her Viera High School class, Stengel personifies the student athlete.

She helps her teammates study and has completed more than 21 CHAMPS Cup Hours, given for community involvement.  She has mentored the young participants at the U.S. Youth National Team training camp and at El Nido Soccer Camp.

TURNING PRO

She pushes herself constantly and leads by example. Although she has garnered every accolade that a Wake Forest Division I athlete can earn, she still spends countless hours pursuing perfection on the practice field. Her can-do attitude is infectious and very beneficial for her team.

This summer, Stengel will play for the semi-pro Los Angeles Blues, before later joining one of the professional soccer teams across the Atlantic.

“Women’s soccer is growing big time in Europe,” said Stengel. Should that goal not pan out, the always-prepared Stengel has a backup plan to become a physician assistant. Expect the Stengel name to make even more waves in women’s soccer, for Stengel’s little sister, Jackie, also wants to go pro. “She wants to beat me,” said Stengel.

THE 2016 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 6 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. – and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m.

TO MAKE A NOMINATION to the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame call 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

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