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Women's Soccer Alumni Spotlight
May 18, 2017 | Women's Soccer
Former Cardinal standout Katie McDonald
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- This week's Alumni Spotlight features one of the great captains in Louisville Women's Soccer history, Katie McDonald. McDonald played at UofL from 2009-11 and captained the 2011 Louisville team that won the Big East and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The Nashville, Tenn. native came to Louisville from a strong soccer family background. Her father played at Penn State before pursuing a professional playing career and her brother Ryan played on the men's team at Louisville from 2006-09.
McDonald's senior season was the most successful season in the Louisville women's soccer history. Despite just one win in the first six matches of the season, the Cardinals began to gel as a team and only lost three more times in their final 18 matches. That incredible stretch included a school record eight-game win streak.
McDonald played a vital role in that streak as the eighth win came in the 2011 Big East semifinals against conference rival, Notre Dame. The Cards won the game 2-1 with McDonald heading in the game-winner. McDonald was named to the Big-East All-Tournament Team for her heroics in that game.
The semifinal win was significant for several reasons. It propelled Louisville into the Big East Championship game for the first time in school history and likely secured an at-large birth to the NCAA Tournament for the Cards. Perhaps what made the win even sweeter though, was that with the result, Louisville became the first Big East team to defeat Notre Dame twice in the same season since the Fighting Irish joined the league in 1995.
Louisville then defeated Dayton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Next the Cardinals dispatched No. 5 Memphis on their home field to advance to the Sweet 16 to face Florida State. McDonald's legacy has left a lasting impact on the Louisville Women's Soccer Program.
Head Coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes had this to say about McDonald:
"Katie Mac was a quintessential captain. She was competitive, driven, talented, and fearless. She connected with all of her teammates and absolutely had a positive influence on them both on and off the field. One of the all-time Cardinal Greats!"
The Nashville, Tenn. native came to Louisville from a strong soccer family background. Her father played at Penn State before pursuing a professional playing career and her brother Ryan played on the men's team at Louisville from 2006-09.
McDonald's senior season was the most successful season in the Louisville women's soccer history. Despite just one win in the first six matches of the season, the Cardinals began to gel as a team and only lost three more times in their final 18 matches. That incredible stretch included a school record eight-game win streak.
McDonald played a vital role in that streak as the eighth win came in the 2011 Big East semifinals against conference rival, Notre Dame. The Cards won the game 2-1 with McDonald heading in the game-winner. McDonald was named to the Big-East All-Tournament Team for her heroics in that game.
The semifinal win was significant for several reasons. It propelled Louisville into the Big East Championship game for the first time in school history and likely secured an at-large birth to the NCAA Tournament for the Cards. Perhaps what made the win even sweeter though, was that with the result, Louisville became the first Big East team to defeat Notre Dame twice in the same season since the Fighting Irish joined the league in 1995.
Louisville then defeated Dayton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Next the Cardinals dispatched No. 5 Memphis on their home field to advance to the Sweet 16 to face Florida State. McDonald's legacy has left a lasting impact on the Louisville Women's Soccer Program.
Head Coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes had this to say about McDonald:
"Katie Mac was a quintessential captain. She was competitive, driven, talented, and fearless. She connected with all of her teammates and absolutely had a positive influence on them both on and off the field. One of the all-time Cardinal Greats!"
Thank You, Coach: Karen Ferguson-Dayes Announces Retirement
Thursday, February 19
WSOC: Karen Ferguson-Dayes Presser (11/17/25)
Monday, November 17
NCAA Tournament: Louisville vs. Kentucky
Monday, November 17
WSOC: Mackenzie Geigle and Erynn Floyd Presser (vs. Kentucky/NCAA Tournament - 11/15/25)
Saturday, November 15
