Katie Giles was a stellar soccer athlete for Behrend from 1997-2001. She dominated the center midfielder position, always creating havoc for her opponents and often the root of the Behrend offense. A three-year captain for the Lions, Giles led her team to four consecutive AMCC titles, four straight post-season appearances, and a NCAA appearance in 2000.
When she arrived on Behrend’s campus in the fall of 1997, the soccer program was heading into its third year of existence as a varsity program. The franchise was about to sky-rocket into a higher level of play and Giles was at the center of it all, literally.
During her freshman year, she copped AMCC Newcomer of the Year accolades and the team’s Rookie of the Year award as one of Behrend’s top scorers. Giles continued to catch AMCC attention, earning All-Conference honors in 1998 and 1999.
Giles’ senior campaign proved to be the breakthrough season for the Lions’ women’s soccer program. That year, Behrend set the school record with 16 wins and won its fourth conference crown. The Lions advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in school history. Giles was named All-AMCC honorable mention and picked up her second Most Valuable Player award acknowledged by the team.
Giles’ name remains in the record books. She ranks third in career games played with 79, is fourth in career points and goals with 52 and 21, respectively. Giles also ranks sixth in assists with 10.