Since joining Liverpool in January to play under former manager Matt Beard, American striker Katie Stengel has been an unstoppable force in the FA Women's Championship, scoring six goals in 10 games and adding another in the FA Women's Cup.
Over those 10 league matches, Liverpool has won eight and drawn two, including a 4-2 victory over second-place Bristol City on Sunday that clinched the second division title and a return to the Women's Super League following relegation in 2019-20.
The 30-year-old Stengel, who joined from Norway's Vålerenga after spending time in the NWSL, Women's A-League and with Bayern Munich, made it clear her ambition was to get Liverpool back in England's top division, and her goals have certainly helped the Reds achieve that.
Sunday's title-clinching win was watched by 5,752 at Ashton Gate, a record attendance for the division.
That's now 7️⃣ for the season for @ksteng12! pic.twitter.com/0DmJA0qpk6
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) April 3, 2022
WE’VE DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/abSZ9U4flV
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) April 3, 2022
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) April 3, 2022
Stengel represented the Unites States at the U-20 and U-23 levels. She won the 2012 U-20 World Cup with the USYNT on a squad that included Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn, Sam Mewis and Morgan Gautrat.