University of Tennessee Athletics
Cousins Thankful for U-20 World Cup Experience
January 26, 2017 | Soccer
By Dominic Lobianco
UTSports.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --Tennessee soccer midfielder Katie Cousins had an unusual sophomore season. Despite playing in all 18 games her freshman year, Cousins, an All-SEC Freshman player received a redshirt last fall.
She was redshirted in 2016, not because of injury or player development reasons, but because she was named to the official roster for the United States Under-20 Women's National Team for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea. Cousins is no stranger to the national stage after competing in several international competitions, camps and friendly matches with the U.S. U-18 and U-20 national teams in previous years.
"We knew they were going to announce the roster at our last camp in June," Cousins said. "I was so nervous but it was a really cool feeling because we knew from that day forward, we had six months to bond and prepare."
Although Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky knew he'd lose one of his star players to the national team for a year, he was proud of Cousins.
"When you're a young kid, it's the greatest goal or dream to have," Pensky said. "Coming up, to have that opportunity is the highest honor of all."
Knowing the expectations of representing her country, Cousins trained tirelessly to be in the best shape when her number was called. She saw her first action when she earned a starting spot in the team's second group-stage match against New Zealand.
"To be out on the field, listening to the National Anthem and hearing all our fans and parents yelling, it was awesome," Cousins said. "And then once the whistle blows, you tune it out and get to work."
Katie Cousins was named U.S. Soccer's Player of the Match after assisting on Mallory Pugh's game-tying goal against Ghana in the team's final group-stage game.
One game later, she was named U.S. Soccer's Player of the Match after notching the game-tying assist against Ghana, helping the team finish first in Group C and advance to the quarterfinals.
"I was not expecting that at all, it completely caught me off guard," Cousins said.
The United States finished fourth overall at the tournament after a 1-0 loss to Japan in the Bronze-medal game, but Cousins aims to use her experience overseas to reignite her success as a Tennessee Volunteer.
"One way that I really grew was that now I have a completely different type of work ethic," Cousins said. "They set such a high standard with the USA team and I really want to push my teammates (at Tennessee) the same way."
Now that she's returned to the college setting, Pensky says he's already seen her enhanced work ethic and leadership a few weeks into spring workouts.
"We not only have her quality on the field, but now we have the confidence piece of a Katie playing at a high level with high expectations," Pensky said.
"Going forward, we're expecting Katie and along with the rest of our leadership group to lead by example," he added.
With three years of eligibility left, both Pensky and Cousins are eager to see the mark she leaves on Rocky Top.
