Katie Shea Collins uses USWNT experience to drive USC women’s soccer success

Expectations aren’t new to Gamecocks women’s soccer forward Katie Shea Collins. Before she even stepped on South Carolina’s campus in 2024, she was expected to contribute.

The Gallatin, Tennessee product was an All-American and broke the record for career goals (106) and goals in a season (44) at Pope John Paul II Preparatory School.

To say Collins exceeded those expectations would be selling her efforts short.

Her 13 goals were the second most among freshmen in the Southeastern Conference, earning her a spot on the All-SEC freshman team and the All-SEC second team. But perhaps the biggest honor to come from her freshman campaign was an invite to the United States Women’s National Team Under-20 camp.

“Our expectation is she improves every game, every day and at the end of the season, she’s that much better for us and the national team,” USC coach Shelley Smith said.

Collins’ sophomore season began Aug. 14 against Charleston, and expectations might be even higher for the young forward. The Gamecocks are without last year’s leading scorer Catherine Barry, and Collins is expected to take her place as the engine of the South Carolina offense. Collins is taking those expectations head-on.

“I’m excited,” Collins said. “I think pressure is a privilege, and I’m excited to see what teams come out with.”

Ahead of the season, Collins talked about how calm Barry was on the ball, especially in front of a USC home crowd that led the nation in average attendance last year. Collins said she wants to apply that calmness into her own game this season. She got her first test Sunday during a 3-1 win against USF in front of a crowd of 5,300. It marked the 11th-highest attendance in program history and was just 30 away from breaking the top 10.

Collins took to the environment and her elevated role right away, scoring the game winner in the 62nd minute before adding a second goal with 10 minutes left in the game.

“Being able to find those little pockets, feel confident, take my first touches and be aggressive, that was my main goal today,” she said. “I was very proud.”

If Collins keeps up performances like Thursday’s, she’ll be a big talking point for women’s soccer audiences, especially after being named to the preseason watch list for the Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in women’s college soccer. But nothing gets Collins talking more than when she’s asked about her teammates and fans.

“I’m super proud of what this team has done. I wouldn’t have been able to get on the ball without my teammates,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it as well without the fans here, 5,300... nobody else gets that. All their support was hyping me up.”

Collins will take on her first ranked test of the season, again at home, against the No. 18 Ohio State Buckeyes this Thursday at 7 p.m.

“I think Ohio State will be another good test before we get into SEC later on,” she said. “I remember playing Ohio State last year, and we tied, so I think both teams are going to be hungry to get the result.”

And as the year rolls on and decisions are made on USWNT rosters once again, don’t be surprised to see a familiar name.

“I love the fact that she gets to go and learn at that level and represent the program, but also put herself in a position to keep being asked back and be a part of the national team system,” Smith said.

This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 10:30 AM.