Northwestern University Athletics
Katie Shields Named Assistant Women's Soccer Coach
6/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
June 11, 2010
Northwestern head women's soccer coach Stephanie Erickson has announced the hire of Katie Shields as an assistant coach. Shields, who was a standout goalkeeper under Erickson at Harvard University, brings to Northwestern a wealth of coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels.
"Katie is one of the top up and coming young coaches in women's Division I soccer," Erickson said. "She is consistently sought after for any open coaching position and brings an impressive amount of experience and potential. I am incredibly excited about this hire for our program."
Shields comes to NU after spending three years as an assistant coach at Harvard. She helped her alma mater to Ivy League titles in 2008 and 2009 and back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament. With the Crimson, Shields was responsible for coaching goalkeepers and in charge of recruiting responsibilities.
In 2009, Shields also served as assistant coach for the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer, working alongside legendary former U.S. Women's National Team coach Tony DiCicco.
Before returning to Harvard in 2007, Shields worked as an assistant coach at both Arizona State and UC Irvine.
"I am excited to join the Northwestern women's soccer program," Shields said. "Playing under Stephanie Erickson was a great experience for me and now having the chance to work with her in the Big Ten, one of the top conferences in the country, is a tremendous opportunity."
A four-time All-Ivy selection as a goalkeeper, Shields ranks among the greatest players in Harvard history. She posted 11 shutouts and allowed just eight goals during her senior campaign. Shields also helped Harvard to an appearance in the 2004 NCAA Championships, and her .909 career save percentage ranks third all-time in Division I women's soccer.
"Having coached Katie at Harvard, I know first hand what a quality person and role model she is for student-athletes," Erickson said. "She is extremely competitive and will add a huge punch with recruiting. Katie's academic pedigree is an awesome match for Northwestern University and our student-athletes. She will have her hand in all facets of running a Division I soccer program in a major conference."
A native of Dana Point, Calif., Shields graduated from Harvard in 2006 with a degree in government.
