Abigail Lynn Dahlkemper Bio
Abigail Lynn Dahlkemper (born May 13, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team. Dahlkemper played collegiately for the UCLA Bruins, where she won the NCAA championship in 2013 and received the Honda Sports Award in 2014. She was the third overall pick by the Western New York Flash in the 2015 NWSL College Draft and won her first NWSL Championship with the Flash in 2016. Following the Flash’s relocation, Dahlkemper was voted NWSL Defender of the Year in 2017 and won successive league doubles with the North Carolina Courage in 2018 and 2019.
Early Life and Background
Abigail Dahlkemper was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and raised in Menlo Park, California. She is the daughter of Andrew and Susan Dahlkemper and has two brothers, Andrew and Joseph. Dahlkemper attended Sacred Heart Preparatory, where she was a standout on the soccer team. In 2010, she was recognized as the Gatorade California Girls Soccer Player of the Year and was named a Parade All-American, showcasing her early talent in the sport.
Path to Soccer
Dahlkemper’s soccer journey began at a young age, playing for the MVLA Avalanche from 2005 to 2010. She continued to develop her skills during her college years at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she played for the Bruins from 2011 to 2014. Her collegiate career culminated in a national championship in 2013 and the Honda Sports Award in 2014, which recognized her as one of the top collegiate athletes in women’s soccer. After an impressive college career, Dahlkemper was drafted by the Western New York Flash in 2015, marking her transition into professional soccer.
Abigail Lynn Dahlkemper Career
Early Career (2013-2016)
Dahlkemper began her professional career with the Pali Blues in the W-League in 2013, where she helped the team win the western conference title and the national championship. In January 2015, she was selected as the third overall pick in the NWSL College Draft by the Western New York Flash. Dahlkemper made her debut for the Flash in April 2015 and quickly made an impact, helping the team secure the NWSL Championship in 2016.
Breakthrough (2017-2019)
Following the Flash’s relocation, Dahlkemper joined the North Carolina Courage in 2017. She played every minute of the season, contributing significantly to the team’s success as they won the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship in 2018. Dahlkemper’s defensive prowess earned her the title of NWSL Defender of the Year in 2017. In 2019, she played a crucial role in the United States Women’s National Team’s victory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, starting every match and helping the team secure their fourth title.
Notable Works and Milestones
Abigail Dahlkemper’s signature work includes her contributions to the North Carolina Courage, where she won multiple championships and was recognized as a top defender in the league. Her performance in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup further solidified her status as a key player in women’s soccer.
Abigail Lynn Dahlkemper Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Abigail Dahlkemper has received several nominations for her outstanding performances, particularly in the NWSL and international competitions.
Abigail Lynn Dahlkemper Awards Won
Dahlkemper has achieved significant recognition in her career, including winning the NWSL Championship with the Western New York Flash and the North Carolina Courage. She was also named NWSL Defender of the Year in 2017, highlighting her impact on the field.
Abigail Lynn Dahlkemper Family
Abigail Dahlkemper is married to Aaron Schoenfeld. The couple started dating in May 2019 and announced their engagement in December 2020. They were married in a private ceremony on January 5, 2021.
Personal Life
In addition to her soccer career, Dahlkemper has made appearances in popular culture, including posing for the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue alongside her U.S. Women’s National Team teammates. The couple announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child on September 10, 2025.