Cardinal Perspectives – Casey Sommers, Women’s Soccer Coach

Welcome to Cardinal Perspectives, a series featuring in-depth conversations with alumni, students, faculty, staff and the extended family and community of The Catholic University of America.

Casey Sommers, head coach, joins James Higgins, assistant director of leadership annual giving for Athletics, to discuss women’s soccer at Catholic University and how alumni can contribute to the future of the program.

Casey began her coaching career as an assistant at Division I Fordham, a fellow Catholic institution and her alma mater, where she oversaw recruiting efforts and player development, assisted in the game and practice planning, organized social, marketing, networking and instructional events while creating the team's alumni program. After serving as the business development manager for John Jay Athletics, she joined the team at Catholic University in 2020, and recently completed her fourth full season as the head coach of the Catholic women's soccer program.

During the season, three Cardinals were honored by the Landmark Conference, giving Casey 12 all-conference selections under her watch.

Listen to the conversation below!

Neil Donahue
Welcome to Cardinal Perspectives, an audio and written series featuring in-depth conversations with alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the extended family and community of The Catholic University of America.

Casey Sommers, head coach, joins James Higgins, assistant director of leadership annual giving for Athletics to discuss women's soccer at The Catholic University of America and how alumni can contribute to the program. Casey began her career coaching as an assistant at Division I Fordham, a fellow Catholic institution and her alma mater, where she oversaw recruiting efforts and player development, assisted in the game and practice planning, organized social marketing, networking, and instructional events while creating the team's alumni program. After serving as the business development manager for John Jay Athletics, she joined the team at Catholic University in 2020, and recently completed her fourth full season as the head coach of the Catholic Women's Soccer Program.

The 2024 season saw the Cardinals posted records of eight wins, seven losses, and four ties, including a four wins, three losses, and two tie record in Landmark Conference play, one of the top defensive teams in the Landmark Conference.

Sommers ranked 21st nationally in goals against average with a mark of 0.526, as they allowed just 10 goals in 19 games.

Three Cardinals were honored by the Landmark Conference, giving Coach Casey 12 All Conference selections under her watch. Let's dive into this conversation.

James Higgins
Hello, my name's James Higgins. I'm here with Casey Sommers, the head soccer coach for the women's program here at Catholic University. And Casey, I wanted to start off by asking you, as you head into your fifth season here at Catholic University, what stood out to you over your time here? Is there a particular moment that really jumps off the page over your years here so far?

Casey Sommers
There are a lot of moments. It's been a fast five years. It's been an interesting five years coming in during kind of peak COVID. I remember I just graduated my first recruiting class, but when I was recruiting them, it was before I was even allowed in the DuFour Center.

I hadn't seen the building. I didn't even own any gear. I was committing students in front of the Basilica to come play for us. So that was definitely an interesting experience. And then a lot of the memories even stem from the families and the parents that really helped out. We’ve had some pretty amazing tailgates through the years.

Two years ago, we went to New York for an away game and one of the families hosted us and we got to go to the beach. So there are moments of travel to really incorporate the whole family and the whole community. In 2024-2023, we got to host a double header, men's and women's soccer hosted the semi-finals against Drew University. Both went to overtime, both won. That was a huge day at Carlini. It was super fun. And those kinds of memories stick with me for sure.

James Higgins
Yeah, that's awesome. And it speaks to the community that we have, not only in Catholic Athletics, but at the University in general and seeing the close-knit families. It's tremendous.

Speaking of Carlini, obviously Carlini Field opened back in 2019. So, just before you started thanks to the generosity of Joe and Christine Carlini. What impact has the field had on the team and how do you guys continue to envision it as a home field advantage going forward?

Casey Sommers
Initially I considered Carlini Field as the “closer” for when I'm recruiting. If you get students on campus and you show them around and you get up to that pavilion, and look at it.  You can just see it, the voice changes, families wanna take pictures. It's a done deal to play in that setting and that's actually how I felt when I came here to interview for the job. It’s nice to have a city campus with these facilities on site. It is just so special. We like to protect the nest and defend the district. All the things. Home games, definitely. It's fun and at one point actually a coach of, a kind of non-conference rival program, said how Carlini Field stresses him out.

It just feels very tight and I think it's probably the pressure we put on them. But it's nice to know that it can be an uncomfortable setting for opponents or even walking up the stairs that we do every day.  The way teams are like, "What's this? Can I take a bus?" I think it's a little point of pride for us for sure.

James Higgins
How do you view the fan atmosphere up at Carlini? You started during COVID, so it was an unusual situation, dealing with scheduling scrimmages and not having anyone around. What's it been like over the last few years since fans have been allowed back?

Casey Sommers
It's great. And I think students, even non-student athletes or professors, understand that it's not that far away. It's easy to get to Carlini. There's a shuttle. And winning helps – so you have a good team, they want to come to your games for you. The student-athletes in general really come out and support each other in a big way.

It's good vibes. And like I said, for whatever reason, Cardinal families travel really well. They're home in a way, the pavilion is covered with tailgates and senior celebrations and everything. So it's a fun day anytime we have a game.

James Higgins
Speaking of Cardinal families and alumni in general, do you have a story during your five years that highlights the ongoing connection and impact between the alumni and your team?

Casey Sommers
Yes. Makinsey Jarboe graduated in 2022. She did some extended service programs through the University and had a connection with the L’Arche GWDC. She put me in touch with one of their organizers before she graduated, so we've been able to continue with our team. We go to their residential communities to celebrate holidays with their residents, and they've come to campus and we've done some talent shows with the group. It's nice to be a part of a community that meant a lot to an alumna, because then it means something to us as well to keep that relationship going.

We've had some success Zooming with alumni to let the players ask them questions about their time or pump them up before a rival game, but I would love to extend that even more to maybe matching with alum in more of a mentorship capacity. We have a lot of nurses or engineers, and it would be great if they could talk about life after college and how current students can navigate that world as well. I think that's something our players would really be into.

James Higgins
That's a great area to grow as we keep going forward. And going off that, what are your hopes for the team's development and the success under your leadership, both while they're here, but then also as they continue on as alumni once they graduate? How can they come back to hopefully support the team afterwards?

Casey Sommers
Great leadership is surrounding yourself with people who can do a good job, who can take on that responsibility and accountability. And I think I look for that even when I'm recruiting. I'm looking for good people, good players. A good team is led by a coach. A great team is led by its players.

The entire roster now are my recruits. Hopefully they've bought into my vision, my plan, and raising the bar with and for the team.

We have 10 newcomers on their way. It's not just going to be me trying to integrate 10 new players. They can see and emulate what the upperclassmen are doing. So the leadership and the growth of the team can be a little more fluid, a little more consistent, which is something I'm really looking forward to. We have 12 seniors this year, but they get along so well and as a group, despite the large size, they  seem to have a singular focus. I ask myself, “how do we make the team the best it can be, and what can each of them do to make that happen?” I'm really excited for them to have their senior year, but also, to have the opportunity to put all of that work into this mission together. They're doing a good job with it.

James Higgins
Where do you think that culture stems from now you've had a couple of your own recruiting classes graduate? Do you think that culture comes from having them under your direction all four years, and them passing on that leadership to the younger student-athletes?

Casey Sommers
For sure, I definitely think so, but also I think they've helped shape it for me. There were things that worked for me at my previous institutions, or even at a different time in my life, that I've had to adjust. I really try to empower our athletes to advocate for themselves, to share what they want.

We talk about having adult-to-adult conversations. I treat them like the elite women they are. And they can help make sure they're having the best experience that they can by speaking up and being collaborative. That’s where our culture is at this point.

James Higgins 
So would you say treating them like adults and treating them like the elite women they are, that's the biggest strategy that you use to help players thrive as both athletes and individuals? Or would you say it lends to other stuff as well?

Casey Sommers
Yes, that's a big one. I talk a lot about women uplifting women so that you can have success in your sport, in your area of interest.

We can all do good things. Being a member of the team is a huge benefit. It is a way of finding growth through your peers and through those relationships. I just want to empower them to be confident and walk into any setting and know that they deserve to be there and they have a voice.

I want them to feel that when they step on a soccer field. I think it translates when they go into the classroom or have an interview, too. Just to know that they can do it.

James Higgins
What would you say that's the most rewarding part of coaching here at Catholic University? Do you see your athletes thrive both on and off the field and feel empowered?

Casey Sommers
Absolutely. It's really fun to see them from freshman to senior year. But one thing I mention in every pre-season talk is that if I had one fear as a coach, it would be getting someone through four years and not helping them reach their potential.

That's what I want to do. If I'm not the resource, then I make sure to find them the resource to get them what they need, to help them be the best versions of themselves through the sport that we love. That's an outlet and hopefully, an enhancement to their student experience.

James Higgins
Obviously this goes back to a strong team culture, which you've built over your time here. What values would you say have gone into building that culture?

Casey Sommers
I break down culture into two parts, because at the end of the day, I am a coach. We're here to win. We want to be one of the top athletic departments in the country. So with that comes the expectation of competing at a high level.

When I'm recruiting, I’m always asked, “what are you looking for?” And I want to find students that love to play soccer. I know that sounds basic or strange, but you can tell in body language when someone's on the field or in the way they interact with their coaches and their teammates, who wants to be there and who wants to learn.

Because at the end of the day, we're only guaranteed 18 games a season (although it’s hopefully more). I want to be at practice every day. Who wants to get better? Who wants to work on their left foot? Who wants to help their teammate get better? Who wants to pass the fitness test? Who's looking to get better every day?

I am always saying when we have 6 a.m. practices and they've really gone through it and worked really hard; that you've done more today for yourself and for your team than some people will do all day. I like players who can really enjoy those moments and all that encompasses being a part of a team, as opposed to just thinking, “how many minutes did I play on Saturday?”

It’s our culture that we're really proud of, in addition to finding joy in competing and allowing these women to know it's okay to compete. They are hilarious, especially the senior group. I'm gonna miss them a lot. They're very fun, they keep me on my toes. But they always say they can step on the field, they compete, and then they go have Garvey parties where they go have a meal together.

They all live together. They shop together. So at the end of the day, I think the culture stems from just respect. And whether you're a walk-on or a recruit, a freshman or a senior, I just say, you're a Cardinal. Once you're on the team, you're on the team. And I think that's how they treat each other.

I think that shows in our culture, and I’m pretty happy with that.

James Higgins
That's tremendous, especially with the off-the-field bonding, not just taking what happens on the field or what happens off the field, keeping everything together, especially during the season, that's so vital to the team's success.

How would you define your long-term vision for Catholic University Women's Soccer?

Casey Sommers
I'm looking for consistency. Obviously as a coach, that's what pushes me. Each year we've hit new markers. Last year it was a goal to be ranked regionally. And we were for about six or seven weeks, I believe. But when it really mattered, we fell out of that ranking. I want to be able to get there again, stay there, and have that be a baseline expectation each year. Making that the Landmark post-season play, making sure we continue.

Our team has gotten the team academic award from the United Soccer Coaches every year it's been in existence. Same with the team ethics award. So those need to just be standards, which will help with recruiting. Players will come in and we can say, “this is what's expected if you're gonna be a Catholic University student-athlete.”

James Higgins
As far as the team goes,  you guys have been close each of the last few years. How do you view this year's team? What are some of the strengths and how do you think you can hopefully win the Landmark Championship this year?

Casey Sommers: 
We had a very awesome spring season. Very beneficial. A lot of the work I felt like we needed to do was how we approached the game from a mental standpoint. Knowing that we can win and stepping on the field. We have tremendous defense. We're returning a lot of players who got a lot of minutes over the last two years.

I can't say we're a young team anymore. We officially have an older roster, which I think, like I said before, will lend to some great leadership and some great learning opportunities for the freshmen. And I think we'll just be able to go into those bigger game moments with more confidence. More like we've been there before– now "let's take care of business," to steal the quote from the men's team. Our team kind of motto is "jobs not done." Meaning there's always something that you can do to prepare yourself for the game, or the team, or a little extra.

I think that's how we feel; I know that's how the seniors feel about their career right now. We haven't won the championship yet. Their job's not done. And that's what we're going to be working towards, one game at a time. We want to be playing in November, for now we just want to think about the new season.

James Higgins
That's great. I know we've talked about how this is the 40th season of Catholic women's soccer, a long history. Is there anything in particular looking forward to this year to celebrate and honor that legacy?

Casey Sommers
Yeah, we're very excited.

I've gotten on the phone with a couple alumni. We're fine tuning the details, but we also have a home game rematch against Drew University, who we lost to in the post-season during Cardinal Weekend. And it's not often that we have a home game during Cardinal Weekend. So we are excited to be part of all the festivities.

It's also the 10th anniversary of the last Landmark Championship we won. And, I think the 20th of the first Landmark Championship we won. So it'd be great to get back to classes who played in 2005 and 2015 and started the program. I think that means we're destined to win in 2025. Keep the 10-year lineage going.

James Higgins
You've coached here for a bit now. What are the lasting benefits of competing at the collegiate level?

Casey Sommers
I think it comes down to relationships, communication, and understanding like personal growth. I'm a big advocate for journaling and sometimes writing through things as you're overcoming something and maybe in that moment it seems like you'll never get out of it.

Then being able to reflect back and be like “Oh, that day wasn't so bad” Or “I've done that, now I can do this”. So, being a part of a team puts you through sometimes challenging experiences, but when you come through them, you gain confidence. That's why even on the soccer field, if I'm starting a new drill, my team likes to know in advance what we're doing in practice and prepare.

I get that. I wanna reduce that kind of anxiety, but I don't expect them to do it perfectly the first time. Or else, it's not challenging enough.  You kinda learn and you get confidence through failure. So if we can start a drill at a lower level and then keep adding to it, then they can see and feel the growth that they've learned a skill they've gotten together, the team is connecting. It builds relationships, friendships.

I think there's a TikTok going around that says my coach did a good job picking my future bridesmaids. I think that says a lot about the relationships that you have, right?

James Higgins 
Yeah. And you're with them all day, every day for four years.

What's on the horizon for both women's soccer and Catholic Athletics that you think will make a big impact long term, not only just in the next couple years?

Casey Sommers
We are building off the momentum of, I think we're back-to-back years of winning the landmark trophy, the President's Cup.

I always feel momentum coming out of the spring sports season, like how successful we are to keep that going. So having some consistency with our post-season play and the strength of schedule, I think we're getting good talent. I'm able to recruit more widely across the country and we have players from all over.

I think it's an exciting time. The facilities keep getting upgraded and when other teams here are successful, it just feeds off of everyone else trying to match that. So I think we're excited, like I said, to be with my more experienced team, to really get it going this year.

James Higgins
And, lastly, I know you do like to do a lot of team bonding activities during the year. What's been your favorite team bonding activity that you've done?

Casey Sommers
I always enjoy a good scavenger hunt. Actually, two years ago we did it in the city and I told them they should grab lunch while they're doing it and then come back, but it was a timed event. It turns out they're so competitive that three of the four teams didn't eat and they came back and they were so hangry.

We play manhunt usually one night during pre-season and let them explore the campus a little bit. But this year, we're going to join forces with volleyball and field hockey and we'll build some cardboard boats and see who can get it across the pool first.

Those things are always fun.