HEAD COACH KATIE SHIELDS

Katie Shields | Head Coach

Guided by head coach Katie Shields, the Saint Louis University Billikens took another step forward on the national stage and wrote another chapter of Atlantic 10 Conference women’s soccer history in 2021.

Saint Louis defeated Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Championship, breaking through with a victory in the national tournament for the first time in four consecutive appearances. The win came on the heels of yet another A-10 Championship triumph that made the Billikens the first women’s soccer team in league history to capture four straight conference tournament titles.

Several Billikens were rewarded for their performances, including third-team All-Region honoree Brionna Halverson. SLU featured players who accounted for nine A-10 postseason accolades – four on the All-Conference first team, two apiece on the All-Conference second team and All-Rookie team, and Rookie of the Year Emily Gaebe.

In addition, a relentless attack produced 7.39 corner kicks per game, leading the A-10 and ranking ninth in the nation, while the defensive effort followed the script of the Shields era and topped the league with a .435 shutout percentage (10 shutouts in 23 games).

Now in her 10th season at the helm, Shields began the 2022 campaign with a 114-54-14 (.665) overall record that included a 92-25-9 (.766) mark over the previous six seasons. The 92 wins are the most of any six-year period in SLU women’s soccer history and were the most in the A-10 from 2016-21. Shields was No. 27 in winning percentage among active NCAA Division I women’s soccer coaches at the beginning of the 2022 season.

In addition, Saint Louis posted a 48-6-4 (.862) record in A-10 regular-season play from 2016-21. During their three-year regular-season championship run (2018-20), the Billikens were undefeated (27-0-1, .982) in regular-season league competition; adding conference tournament games, the three-year record was 35-0-1 (.986) against A-10 opponents.

Shields collected her 100th career victory April 15, 2021, when the Billikens defeated Dayton 3-0 in the A-10 Championship semifinals on the home pitch of Robert R. Hermann Stadium. She will coach her 200th game at SLU during the 2022 season.

During Shields’ tenure, Saint Louis players have earned All-America honors twice, All-Region plaudits 20 times and Atlantic 10 accolades (first team, second team, All-Rookie) 53 times. In addition, Billikens have been selected A-10 Defensive Player of the Year five times, Midfielder of the Year and Rookie of the Year twice each, and Offensive Player of the Year once.

Shields’ Billikens have made Hermann Stadium one of the nation’s most difficult venues for visiting teams, going 51-5-6 (.871) on their home pitch from the final home game of the 2015 season through 2021. That includes a combined 29-1-2 (.938) ledger in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 campaigns.

Depth and balance are hallmarks of Saint Louis women’s soccer in Shields’ system. Twenty different Billikens combined to earn 37 A-10 weekly awards between 2017 and 2021. There were 22 different player combinations that accounted for the Bills' 26 assisted goals in 2021, continuing a trend of 2017 (24 different combos on 33 assisted goals), 2018 (27 different combos on 37 assisted goals), 2019 (30 different combos on 34 assisted goals) and 2020 (28 different combos on 33 assisted goals).

After serving as a Billiken assistant coach in 2012, Shields was named the third head coach in program history on Jan. 15, 2013.

Prior to her arrival at SLU, Shields spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Northwestern. She served three years in the same capacities at her alma mater, Harvard, where she worked with head coach Ray Leone, who has led numerous NCAA Division I programs, and assistant coach Tracey Leone, who went on to serve six seasons as head coach at Northeastern. Shields helped guide Harvard to consecutive Ivy League titles and NCAA Championship berths in 2008 and 2009. She coached two Ivy League Rookies of the Year, 16 All-Conference selections and six All-Region choices.

Shields began her coaching career with a one-year stint as an assistant at UC Irvine under head coach April Heinrichs, who recently served eight years as Technical Director for the U.S. Women's National Teams.

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Shields is an assistant with the U.S. Youth National Teams staff at various training camps and international competitions. She also serves as the liaison for the state of Missouri’s U.S. Soccer Training Center. Additionally, Shields was assistant goalkeeping coach for the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer under head coach Tony DiCicco in 2009; head coach of the Boston Bolts F.C. girls’ youth clubs for two years; and camp director/senior staff member of Soccerplus Goalkeeper School from 2006-11.

“During our search for a head coach, we engaged in exhaustive communication with National Team coaches, U.S. Soccer officials and NCAA College Cup coaches,” SLU Director of Athletics Chris May said at the time of Shields’ hiring. “They were unanimous in their support of Katie Shields as a leader who was ready to be a successful head coach.

“Katie is passionate about soccer and is committed to our department goals of educating student-athletes, competing at the highest level and building community,” May said. “We are confident she will develop a championship program by building trust, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and showing she cares about her student-athletes.”

“I am thrilled and honored to be the head women's soccer coach at Saint Louis University,” Shields said upon her hiring. “I am grateful to the University’s administration for believing in me and my vision to lead the SLU women’s soccer program.

“Saint Louis University offers a unique combination of academic prestige, top-notch athletic facilities and a wealth of local soccer tradition, providing a world-class experience for our student-athletes.”

A goalkeeper, Shields enjoyed a distinguished playing career (2002-05) at Harvard. She garnered All-Ivy accolades all four seasons and was an All-Region honoree and team captain her senior campaign. Shields ranked fourth nationally in save percentage in 2005, set a school record for shutouts in a season and helped lead the 2004 Crimson to the NCAA Tournament.

Shields is a 2006 graduate of Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT KATIE SHIELDS

"Katie is a bright mind in the game and has a wonderful future. She has constantly shown the ability to work hard and inspire her players to be the best they can be. Saint Louis made a great decision in having Katie land her first head-coaching job." - Erica Walsh, head women's soccer coach, Penn State University

"Katie Shields has distinguished herself as a master recruiter and one of America's finest young, talented coaches. No one will be surprised as Katie develops SLU into a program of national significance. She is known for integrity, a tireless work ethic and a wonderful soccer pedigree. Congratulations to Katie and to Saint Louis University." - Tony DiCicco, USA National Team Coach '96 Olympic Gold; '99 World Cup Championship; '08 U20 World Cup Championship

"Katie Shields is an incredible hire for Saint Louis University. She has great insight into the game and has the ability to recruit top talent and develop strong relationships with players. She is a great leader and great worker who is more than ready for a Division I head-coaching position. Katie is a tremendous human being, tremendous coach and tremendous recruiter who is the best choice for Saint Louis." - Tracey Leone, head women's soccer coach, Northeastern University

"Katie Shields is one of the brightest young coaches in America. From the moment you meet her to the moment she starts the training session, you feel her deep passion for the great game. She demonstrates with impeccable skill, she progressively builds, and she brings the best out of all the players. Players love training and playing for Katie. She will build Saint Louis University women's soccer into a nationally competitive program. She also is one of the finest role models in women's soccer." - April Heinrichs, Technical Director, U.S. Women's National Teams

"I commend Saint Louis University for tabbing Katie Shields as its next head coach. Katie was instrumental in helping Harvard win two Ivy League titles. I know she will bring the same level of commitment and expertise to the Billikens that she brought to the Crimson as a player and coach. This is a great hire." - Ray Leone, head women's soccer coach, Harvard University