National Team Star Coaches Crimson

As the common adage goes, it is hard to get to the top but even harder to stay there.

Harvard women’s soccer assistant coach Kate Markgraf, however, proves this saying wrong.

Markgraf gets back to her coaching position for the Crimson this week, but only after making a return to the United States national women’s soccer team this Oct. 1 in a friendly against Taipei.

After a year off, Markgraf once again takes her place as one of the seasoned veterans of the national team. Since her debut in 1998, she has started 137 matches and made 146 total appearances, coming off the bench only nine times. In her career, she has been to the Women’s World Cup twice and played for the U.S. Olympic Soccer team in 2000 and 2004.

In 1999, U.S. women’s soccer reached the mainstream, as the squad won the World Cup—on American soil. But Markgraf was a staple on the team even before this, coming off her All-American career at Notre Dame, but her stellar play solidified her spot as a team leader.

Her return was significant for the national squad.

Her work upon returning to the Crimson has been just as important for the growth of the team.

“We respect her so much because we know she has played at the top level of women’s soccer for so long,” senior co-captain Laura Odorczyk said. “And a lot of the girls on the team know how hard it is to reach that level and stay there.”

Markgraf’s most recent games marked her return to the national team starting lineup after having her baby, Keegan, in July. The U.S. team emerged victorious against Taipei, thumping the squad by a 10-0 count, and the team won its final friendly a week later, 2-1 over Iceland.

At Harvard, Markgraf is a key member of the coaching staff, described as outgoing and very supportive. Even when she cannot be present at the games she still e-mails or text messages the players to keep in contact. And given her extensive experience, she is a valuable asset to the team, imparting her wisdom and knowledge to the young players.

“She uses her experiences, both positive and negative, to help us learn to become better players,” Odorcyk said. “Since she has so much experience at the top of women’s soccer, she is able to tell us about her mistakes and her achievements. Hearing what they do at the national team level really helps us learn.”

Markgraf is a graduate of Notre Dame, where she was a four-year starter, starting in every one of her 96 games. In addition, she served as captain her senior year and was a three-time NSCAA All-American defender.

And as the Crimson is known for its staunch defensive play, Markgraf is looking to take it to another level this season.

Last year, behind the tremendous work of Katie Shields ’06 in goal, Harvard notched a record eleven shutouts in sixteen games. And with two freshmen and one sophomore in the starting backline, Markgraf will look to mold a group that can continue this excellent play.

“As a defender, she has helped us lay out our defensive strategy,” freshman Lizzy Nichols said. “She was really key in that beginning stage of organization.”

And for the entire team, to have a player of Markgraf’s quality on the sidelines is priceless for a young group eager to learn.

“The connection with a player of that status, considering I’ve grown up watching her, is incredible,” Nichols said. “The team has a personal bond with her that helps her lead us in a different and beneficial way.”

And even with her new maternal duties, Markgraf still can help freshmen like Nichols learn on the pitch. Occasionally she will even come to practice with her new baby in tow, but that does not stop her from getting out on the field.

“It is amazing to see how she can still make a perfect pass even with a baby slung across her chest,” Odorczyk said.

Whether it’s on the sidelines, in a national team game, or at practice with her new child, Markgraf seems to do it all.