katie shields

Head Coach of @SLUWSoccer • Proud @Harvard_WSoccer 👩‍🎓 • Bibliophile

[James Purchin @JamesPurchin]

Most freshmen don’t struggle because they’re untalented.
They struggle because everything is new.

New environment.
New system.
Away from family.
And the talent level? Just as good, if not better.

Many expect to start right away. Most don’t.

So when the struggle comes, and it will, take a lesson from Tom Brady.

Early in his career, Brady got 2 practice reps. The starter got 20. He asked his coach, “How can I get better with only two?��

The answer: “Make those two perfect.”

So he treated them like the Super Bowl. Full speed. Full focus. No wasted motion.

Two reps became four.
Four became ten.
Ten became a starting job.

What separated him wasn’t talent.
It was how he treated limited opportunities.

Most backups focus on the reps they didn’t get.
Brady treated his 2 reps like an audition.

That lesson goes beyond sports.

Not leading the project? Own your role like it runs the company.
Not in the big meeting? Make your five minutes count.
Not starting? Practice like it’s game day.

Development isn’t about where you start.
It’s about how you respond.

Opportunity doesn’t expand because you deserve it.
It expands because you make it impossible to ignore.

Question:
What are your “2 reps” right now? And are you treating them like they matter?

[NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympics]

Sub-six-minute mile pace uphill on skis: #WinterOlympics SPEED. 🔥

[Matt Barnhart @matt_barnhart]

With no time on clock to end half, @WoodhavenHigh Jr kicker @LilaMegyesi nailed a 43-yard FG. One best and most underrated female athletes in Michigan. Recently committed to @SLUWSoccer This was an incredible kick in a rivalry game of unbeaten team. @statechampsmich

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

St. Louis = Soccer City
SLU = Soccer School

So proud to represent this community. It’s just different here.
💙 #HTR 🏔️

[katie shields @kshields12]

As we head into June 15th…a reminder for all those 2027s looking for a 🏠:

There’s no place like Hermann Stadium.

Conferece or “Power” affiliations do not equal a quality level, fans or atmosphere.

COMMUNITY, CULTURE, CHAMPIONSHIPS are what makes the environment special.

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

Coming in at #11 in National Attendance for the 2024 Season. 🏠 🏟️

Thank you, St. Louis, for making Hermann Stadium one of the best environments in women’s college soccer. STL➡️SLU #HTR #Legacy

[katie shields @kshields12]

Excited to welcome this special group to campus soon!! 🏔️

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

𝓣𝓸𝓹 30 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷!

@TopDrawerSoccer has our 2025 class ranked among the best. Who's ready to climb with us? 🏔️

[katie shields @kshields12]

@mlycan12 @ImYouthSoccer Amen @mlycan12 AND many of us “non-power” schools consistently outperform (beat & out-rank) many of the “power” schools. Use top-25 data, use championships won, use NCAA Tournament appearances if we’re going to advertise something as “higher level, elite, or better”.

[katie shields @kshields12]

The Neisler Brothers are two of the most talented creatives out there. We are so lucky to have them help our program shine and tell our story,

Loved getting a chance to celebrate @cam_neisler last night. ����️

[Cameron Neisler @cam_neisler]

Last night was our Graphic Design Senior Show at Maryville.

A special Thank You to @JoshSchertzSLU & Mrs. Nat 🏀 as well as @kshields12 & her son Henry ⚽️ (forgot a pic!) for taking the time to stop by and support.

It’s easy to root for those programs when they are the leaders.

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

First game = First Win
Shutout 🧤 = Karani & Parker
Goals ⚽️ = Simon & Kim
Assist = Larson

#HTR #RollBills #Legacy

[katie shields @kshields12]

There’s no place like Hermann Stadium.

Once again…Power “3 or 4 or whatever number” does not equal fans or atmosphere.

COMMUNITY, CULTURE, CHAMPIONSHIPS are what makes the environment special.

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

Coming in at #11 in National Attendance for the 2024 Season. 🏠 🏟️

Thank you, St. Louis, for making Hermann Stadium one of the best environments in women’s college soccer. STL➡️SLU #HTR #Legacy

[katie shields @kshields12]

An excellent day at the office.

65 & sunny under all 6 layers…

…excited for day 2 and maybe one more pair of socks.

[ECNL Girls @ECNLgirls]

An incredible start to #ECNLSTL! So much love to all the scouts who are here to make the players’ dreams a reality 🤩

[katie shields @kshields12]

Come see our 🏠!! ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

Coming to ECNL St. Louis this weekend?

Between games, come check out beautiful Hermann Stadium and our gorgeous campus.

We are located about 20 minutes from the ECNL Complexes, but a whole world away in views! 🤩 🏠

[katie shields @kshields12]

Congrats to our neighbors and good friends at @WASHUBears @jcon2000 . Incredible sustained excellence. 🏆

[NCAA Division III @NCAADIII]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆 @WASHUBears

Congratulations to WashU, the 2024 Division III Women’s Soccer champions! This is their second championship and their first since 2016. ⚽️

#WhyD3 | #D3soc

[katie shields @kshields12]

Massive commitment today!! Excited to bring this elite athlete home to climb with us. 🏔️

[katie shields @kshields12]

So well earned…

and most of all Emily Puricelli getting the recognition she deserves. The only woman in program history to earn All-Region for 4 years. Incredible. 🧤

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 🤩

Congratulations to Emily Gaebe, Lyndsey Heckel, and Emily Puricelli on being named to the 2024 United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team!

🔗: https://t.co/wHaSOz1E43

#HTR #RollBills

[katie shields @kshields12]

@H_C_Carter @NWSL @allymwatt @ORLPride Congrats- so fun to follow. Incredible leadership and vision from you.

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

BRICK WALL 🧱🧱🧱

The best to ever do it between the pipes… @puricelli_emily hasn’t missed a single game in goal for the Billikens since her freshman year and she continues to set the bar as one of the best goalkeepers in the country.

#HTR #RollBills

[katie shields @kshields12]

@dmusso4 Hardly. Haha thanks Musso.

[katie shields @kshields12]

An old mentor of mine used to tell me…”don’t chase the big time, make it big time where you are.”

So proud to be a part of this program and community. Come climb with us. 🏔️

[Saint Louis Women's Soccer @SLUWSoccer]

WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE! 🤩

Our fan attendance at Friday night’s match against Kansas was the 2nd highest out of all NCAA First Round games!

#HTR #RollBills

[katie shields @kshields12]

😮

[National Women’s Soccer League @NWSL]

There will never be too many angles of this Marta goal 🤩