ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis head women's soccer coach Kat Mertz has announced the hiring of former Northwestern assistant Katie Shields as assistant coach.

Shields spent the past two seasons at Northwestern and served as the program's recruiting coordinator. Prior to her stint with the Wildcats, she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Harvard for three years and an assistant coach at UC Irvine for one season.

"I am excited to have Katie join the Billiken family," Mertz said. "She is a talented, passionate coach who is committed to our goal of rebuilding the Saint Louis's women's soccer program.

"Katie brings with her a wealth of knowledge from her coaching and playing experiences," Mertz said. "She also has a great ability to identify talent. I am thrilled to have someone with Katie's integrity, competitive spirit and compassion join my staff."

"I am excited to join the Saint Louis women's soccer program and the Billiken athletics department," Shields said. "This is a program and city with a very rich soccer tradition that I look forward to becoming a part of.

"I am thrilled for an opportunity to work with Kat Mertz," Shields said. "I have known Kat since I was a youth player in Southern California and have great respect for her as a coach and person. She is one of the most dynamic coaches in women's soccer and has an infectious energy that is inspiring to work alongside. I look forward to continuing to develop as a coach under her leadership."

Shields helped guide Harvard to the Ivy League title and an NCAA Championship berth in 2008 and 2009. She coached two Ivy League Rookies of the Year, 16 All-Conference selections and six National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region choices.

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Shields served as assistant goalkeeping coach for the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer in 2009; head coach of the Boston Bolts F.C. U10-U12 girls for two years; and camp director/senior staff member of Soccerplus Goalkeeper School from 2006-11.

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

Shields is a 2006 graduate of Harvard with a bachelor of arts degree in government. She is pursuing a master's degree in sports administration at Northwestern.