MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following a five-week absence, the West Virginia University women's soccer team has stormed back into the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's National Poll, climbing 10 spots to No. 16.
 
Additionally, forward Alina Stahl has been named the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Week.
 
Ranked just outside the top 25 last week at No. 26, the Mountaineers' (7-2-3, 3-0) jump is the biggest of any team in this week's poll. WVU last ranked No. 25 in the Aug. 21 poll.
 
Stanford (10-0-1) continues to rank No. 1 and is followed by USC (9-1-1) at No. 2. North Carolina (9-2-1) ranks No. 3, Santa Clara (10-1-1) sits at No. 4 and Georgetown (10-0-2) follows at No. 5.
 
Texas A&M (11-1-1) ranks No. 6, and Washington State (10-0) checks-in at No. 7. Virginia (9-2) sits at No. 8, and Tennessee (9-1-1) and Florida State (9-2-1) round out the top 10.
 
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Stahl is the third different Mountaineer to earn a weekly Big 12 honor and the first to snag the freshman award.
 
A key offensive spark, Stahl tallied WVU's fourth goal in the 85th minute in a 4-0 victory over Kansas State on Sept. 28, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. The Mountaineers became the first team to put four goals behind the Wildcat defense in K-State's three-year history.
 
Stahl ranks No. 4 on the team with six points (2 G, 2 A).
 
Riding a six-match win streak, the Mountaineers continue their homestand at Dick Dlesk Stadium this weekend against a pair of ranked foes. WVU kicks against No. 24 Baylor on Friday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m., and No. 13 Texas on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m.
 
Friday is Soctoberfest, and the first 300 fans will receive a WVU stein. Additionally, Happy Hour prices will be in effect, with half-priced beverages available from 6-7 p.m. Oktoberfest-themed food also will be offered.
 
Sunday is WVU's Pink Match for breast cancer awareness, and all fans are encouraged to wear pink. It's also a Dollar Day, and all tickets and select concessions will be available for $1 each courtesy of WVU Medicine. The first 1,000 fans also will receive a free pink shaker.