NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Former Niagara women's soccer standout Emily Hähnel has signed a professional contract for the 2024-25 season with Valadares Gaia FC of Liga BPI, the club announced on social media Tuesday.
 
Liga BPI or The Campeonato Nacional Faminino, is the top tier of the women's football league system in Portugal, created in the 1987–88 season by the Portuguese Football Federation.
 
Hähnel played two seasons on Monteagle Ridge, playing in 37 games with 34 starts. She tallied six goals and six assists for a total of 15 points, while earning All-MAAC honors in both seasons.
 
In 2022, Hähnel tallied six points on one goal and four assists while helping Niagara reach the MAAC Championship game for the first time since 2009. In 2023, Niagara would once again reach the postseason as Hähnel recorded five goals, including two game-winners, and two assists.
 
Prior to Niagara, Hähnel played at Kentucky where she appeared in 31 games for the Wildcats.
 
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