Saint Louis University (MO)

St. Louis, MO 63108

Missouri Midwest

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Katie Shields

The first decade of Katie Shields’ tenure as head coach of the Saint Louis University women’s soccer program was punctuated by unprecedented team and individual success for the 2022 Billikens.

After winning a fourth Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship in five years and extending its A-10 record for consecutive league tournament titles to five, Saint Louis earned a No. 2 national seed and made a fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Billikens achieved their highest-ever ranking (No. 10) in the United Soccer Coaches poll, reached No. 4 in the College Soccer News ratings – the highest ranking in any poll in program history – and cracked the Top Drawer Soccer top 10. In addition, Shields’ team landed at No. 10 in the final NCAA Division I RPI.

Powered by a school-record 18-game winning streak – longest by a Division I women’s team in 2022 – SLU posted records of 20-2 overall and 10-0 in conference play. The 20 wins set a program record and tied the A-10 women’s soccer mark; the Billikens also equaled school records of 11 home wins and nine road victories. Additional school standards were established for shutouts (15), regular-season winning percentage (17-1, .944), goals (65), assists (61), points (191) and goal differential (plus-55).

Saint Louis led the nation in winning percentage (.909), goals per game (2.95), assists per game (2.77) and points per game (8.68). The Bills finished third nationally in shutout percentage (.682) and tied for third in goals against average (0.46).

The Billikens’ team accomplishments were accompanied by the largest collection of individual accolades in program annals, topped by the naming of Lyndsey Heckel (first team), Abbie Miller (second team) and Emily Puricelli (third team) to the United Soccer Coaches All-America squads. Heckel, who became the program’s first Hermann Trophy semifinalist and received the 2023 Chalupny Award as the female soccer Player of the Year in St. Louis, garnered the initial first-team All-America nod for a SLU women’s soccer player.

Saint Louis produced a program-record 10 All-Conference performers last season, including a program-record-tying seven first-team choices. Miller was tabbed A-10 Midfielder of the Year for a second time, and Caroline Kelly garnered A-10 Offensive Player of the Year accolades. Shields won a third A-10 Coach of the Year award, and she and her staff went on to receive United Soccer Coaches East Region Coaching Staff of the Year laurels for a second time in three seasons.

In addition, Shields was one of five individuals recognized by the Saint Louis University Women’s Commission as Mary Bruemmer Women of the Year.

YEAR-BY-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS OF KATIE SHIELDS' SLU COACHING TENURE

Now in her 11th season at the helm, Shields began the 2023 campaign with a 134-56-14 (.691) overall record that included a 112-27-9 (.787) mark over the previous seven seasons. The 112 wins are the most of any seven-year period in SLU women’s soccer history and the most in the A-10 from 2016-22. Shields ranked in the top 20 in winning percentage among active Division I women’s soccer coaches at the beginning of the 2023 season.

In addition, Saint Louis posted a 72-8-4 (.881) record vs. A-10 opponents (regular season and conference tournament) from 2016-22. 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 coached her 200th game at SLU during the 2022 season.

During Shields’ tenure, Saint Louis players have earned All-America honors five times, All-Region plaudits 25 times and Atlantic 10 accolades (first team, second team, All-Rookie) 63 times. In addition, Billikens have been selected A-10 Defensive Player of the Year six times (six of the past seven seasons), Midfielder of the Year three times, and Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year twice each.

Shields’ Billikens have made Hermann Stadium one of the nation’s most difficult venues for visiting teams, going 62-7-6 (.867) on their home pitch from the final home game of the 2015 season through 2022. 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-one different Billikens combined to earn 44 A-10 weekly awards between 2017 and 2022. There were 46 different player combinations that accounted for the Bills’ 53 assisted goals in 2022, 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), 2020 (28 different combos on 33 assisted goals) and 2021 (22 different combos on 26 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 Tournament 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.

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Kevin Kalish

Kevin Kalish, a Saint Louis University alumnus and Billiken All-American, is in his fifth season at the helm of the Billikens’ men’s soccer program in 2022.

Announced as just the seventh head coach in Billiken men’s soccer history in January of 2018, Kalish is 41-17-11 in his four years at SLU. Including six seasons as head coach at SIUE, Kalish’s 10-year career coaching records stands at 90-63-25 entering the 2022 campaign.

Kalish guided SLU to a magical season in 2021 and was named the A-10 Coach of the Year. The Billikens went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in 50 years and finished with a 16-1-4 overall record. Additionally, SLU went undefeated in A-10 play with a 8-0 record, the first perfect record by an A-10 team since 1993. The 2021 Billikens won the A-10 Championships and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship, the Bills’ deepest run in the NCAAs since 2003.

A Hermann Stadium record crowd of 6,815 witnessed the Billikens’ second-round NCAA matchup against LIU. The Billikens led the nation in attendance in 2021.

Major League Soccer, and the nation, took notice of the talent on the Billikens’ roster. SLU had an unprecedented three Generation adidas signees in Kipp Keller, Isaiah Parker and Patrick Schulte. Three more Billikens (Simon Becher, Chandler Vaughn and Chase Niece) were selected in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, giving SLU six draft picks, the most from a college team since 2011.

Kalish has led the Billikens to winning records in each of his four seasons as head coach. The 2020 season, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19, saw the Billikens enter the year as the A-10 favorites. They would go on to finish 9-5 and receive a bye into the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.

In 2019, Kalish’s second year as head coach, the Billikens reached 10 wins (10-7) for the first time since 2014. They did so with a group of young, local standouts including Kipp Keller and Patrick Schulte, who would go on to play major roles in their careers before being drafted by Major League Soccer.

In his first season at the helm in 2018, Kalish's Billikens registered a 6-4-7 overall record and a 3-1-4 mark in conference play. Kalish coached MLS draft pick Lennart Hein (Portland Timbers) as well as A-10 Rookie of the Year John Klein that season.

Kalish sent another player into the MLS in 2021. Patrick Weah, who signed to play at SLU in the summer of 2020, signed a free agent contract with his hometown Minnesota United after appearing in the Billikens' first two games in the spring of 2021.

Prior to taking the head coaching job at his alma mater, Kalish served as Vice President and Missouri Boys Club Director for St. Louis Scott Gallagher.

"I would like to thank Chris May, Dr. Kent Porterfield, Dr. Fred Pestello and the search committee for their trust in me to lead this historic program," Kalish said at the time of his hire. "Saint Louis University has been such an integral part of my development as a person, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to this amazing institution.

“I look forward to working with the entire University and athletics department staff to build a culture of excellence where we educate our student-athletes, compete for championships regularly and build community. It’s an exciting time for Saint Louis University men’s soccer, and I am looking forward to getting started with the players.”

“It is great to have Kevin Kalish coming back to campus to lead the Billikens,” SLU Director of Athletics Chris May said at the time of Kalish's hire. "I have confidence that Kevin will be able to execute our objectives of education, competition and community. Kevin’s strengths as a coach and values as a person align perfectly for where we want our program to grow. As a scholar-athlete and a tremendous player on the field for the Billikens, Kevin will be an outstanding role model for all Billiken student-athletes.”

During his playing days, Kalish transferred to Saint Louis University in 1997 after spending two seasons at Connecticut. At SLU, he was a member of the 1997 NCAA semifinal team. Kalish was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and an NSCAA All-American his senior season in 1998. Kalish earned Academic All-America honors in 1997 and 1998. He also served as an assistant coach at SLU following his graduation from the University.

In 2007, Kalish was inducted into the Billiken Hall of Fame. He was named to the Billiken Half-Century Team in 2009 during the celebration of 50 years of Saint Louis University soccer.

In addition to serving as Vice President and Club Director at St. Louis Scott Gallagher, one of the most successful youth clubs in the country, Kalish was the head coach of the U19 Saint Louis Academy FC team.

Kalish spent 13 seasons at SIUE – seven as an assistant coach from 2001-07 and six as a head coach from 2008-13. He successfully transitioned the men’s soccer program from NCAA Division II to Division I. While he was an assistant coach at the Division II level, the Cougars made six NCAA Tournament appearances and two NCAA semifinal appearances. In his six years at SIUE, the Cougars posted a 49-46-12 record. In 2012, Kalish was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and the NSCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year after the Cougars posted a 13-7 overall record.

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Kevin Stoll

Kevin Stoll, a St. Louis native and a former player of Kevin Kalish, was hired as an assistant coach of the Saint Louis University men's soccer team in July 2018.

Stoll has been instrumental in the Billikens’ success on the recruiting trail and on the pitch. SLU’s 2019 recruiting class, which included many local standouts, was ranked in the top 10 by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Saint Louis has posted winning records in all three years that Stoll has served as an assistant coach.

“I would like to welcome Kevin, Emily, Lily and Landon to SLU," Kalish said at the time of Stoll's hire. “We are extremely excited to have Kevin join our staff. He will be the perfect mentor for our players on and off the field. Kevin has a tremendous tactical mind and his passion for individual development is as good as I have seen in the coaching profession. He has a special way of connecting and igniting players to help them reach their full potential.

“One of our objectives as a program is to make sure the best players in St. Louis are wearing a Billiken jersey,” said Kalish. “We believe Kevin’s experience in St. Louis soccer, and as a lifelong St. Louisan, will assist in that process. He will help us achieve our mission of graduating our student-athletes, winning championships and being actively involved in the St. Louis community.”

Stoll recently served as the Director of Scouting and Recruitment at Saint Louis FC and the club’s U19 Academy Head Coach. His role included identifying and recruiting top talent from around the country to join the Saint Louis FC Academy program, while also coaching the club’s top academy team.

“I would personally like to thank Chris May, Janet Oberle and Kevin Kalish for giving me this incredible opportunity to be a part of Saint Louis University’s storied men’s soccer program,” Stoll said at the time of his hire. “My family and I are grateful and thrilled to join the Billiken family.

“I also want to thank Pat Barry, Jeremy Alumbaugh, Dale Schilly and Blake Decker for my years with St. Louis Scott Gallagher and Saint Louis FC,” Stoll said. “The club is a first-class organization with a tremendous culture and people. I am so thankful and appreciative for my time there as a player and a coach.”

Stoll, a standout player at SIUE, played for Kalish in his senior season where he served as team captain. He graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication.

In prior years, Stoll was the head coach of Saint Louis FC’s U23 team, which competed in the Premier Developmental League (PDL) each summer and also had a brief stint as an assistant coach for the Saint Louis FC first team in the 2016-17 season.

“I am excited to join this incredible staff that Coach Kalish has put together,” remarked Stoll of his appointment. “I can’t wait to get started, to get to know the players and begin developing relationships with the entire SLU community.”