Catherine Paulson Bio
Catherine Pauline Paulson (born November 5, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Danish A-Liga club HB Køge. She previously played college soccer for the Stanford Cardinal and began her professional career with Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2024. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, she is comfortable playing in the midfield and can also operate as a forward when her team needs additional attacking options.
After completing her degree at Stanford University, Paulson transitioned to the professional ranks and quickly adapted to senior-level competition. Her progress through the U.S. youth system, followed by a decorated college tenure, set the stage for appearances in both the NWSL and European football.
Early Life and Background
Catherine Paulson was born on November 5, 2001, in Mountain View, California, and was raised in nearby Los Altos. She is the daughter of Jen Paulson and Greg Paulson, and she grew up alongside three siblings, including a twin sister, Sarah, who later played alongside her at Stanford. Three generations of her family previously competed in college sports at Santa Clara University, giving her a strong athletic foundation from a young age.
Beyond soccer, Paulson played basketball and danced during her childhood, which helped build her coordination and competitive instincts. She joined MVLA Soccer Club at the age of eight, beginning a long association with one of Northern California’s most respected youth programs. She attended Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, where she played two seasons of varsity soccer before committing to Stanford as a sophomore.
Path to Professional Soccer
Paulson’s pathway to the professional ranks was shaped by years of development within MVLA’s competitive pipeline. The club’s director, Albertin Montoya, would later play a key role in inviting her to train with an NWSL expansion side. Her combination of technical skill and tactical awareness helped her stand out at the youth level and earned her a place on Stanford’s roster.
Her commitment to Stanford came during her sophomore year of high school, alongside her twin sister Sarah. The decision paired her with one of the most successful college soccer programs in the country and gave her a platform to showcase her abilities on a national stage. That platform ultimately served as a springboard into professional soccer.
Catherine Paulson Career
Stanford Cardinal Era (2020–2023)
Paulson enrolled at Stanford University and joined the Cardinal women’s soccer program ahead of the 2020 season. Her freshman campaign was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she still managed to score one goal in 12 appearances, starting six matches during a condensed spring 2021 schedule. She missed her entire sophomore season due to injury, a setback that tested her patience and resolve.
Returning as a redshirt sophomore in 2022, Paulson contributed three goals in 21 substitute appearances and helped Stanford capture the Pac-12 Conference title. In 2023, she started the first two games of the season and made 14 total appearances as the Cardinal went undefeated deep into the NCAA tournament. Stanford ultimately fell to Florida State in the national championship match. Paulson graduated in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, and society.
Bay FC Era (2024–2025)
Following her graduation, Paulson was invited to train with NWSL expansion side Bay FC by head coach Albertin Montoya, the same coach who had directed her youth club MVLA. On August 27, 2024, Bay FC announced that she had signed her first professional contract under a national team replacement deal while Savy King was away at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. That same day, she made her professional debut in a friendly against FC Barcelona at PayPal Park.
On October 11, 2024, Paulson signed a second contract with Bay FC for the remainder of the season. She returned to the club as a preseason non-roster invitee in January 2025 and signed a short-term deal through June on March 10. After that agreement expired, she was re-signed for the rest of the campaign. Her NWSL regular-season debut came on August 10, 2025, as a late substitute for Penelope Hocking in a 1–1 draw against the Chicago Stars. She earned her first professional start during her sixth NWSL appearance, a 4–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage on October 17, 2025.
HB Køge Era (2026–Present)
Danish club HB Køge announced the signing of Catherine Paulson on March 19, 2026, marking her first move abroad. She debuted for the club two days later, playing in a 0–0 league draw against Brøndby. The transition to European football gave her an opportunity to expand her game in a new tactical environment.
On April 2, 2026, Paulson scored her first professional goal against the same opposition, capitalizing on a Brøndby error in the second minute of the Danish Women’s Cup semifinals second leg. Her strike helped HB Køge reach the club’s first-ever cup final, a milestone moment early in her Danish tenure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Paulson’s first professional goal arrived in the Danish Women’s Cup semifinals on April 2, 2026, helping HB Køge reach their first cup final. Her professional debut came in a high-profile friendly against FC Barcelona at PayPal Park on August 27, 2024, and her NWSL regular-season debut followed on August 10, 2025.
Catherine Paulson Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Catherine Paulson is the daughter of Jen and Greg Paulson and grew up in a family with a deep connection to college athletics. Three generations of her family played college sports at Santa Clara University, providing her with an enduring sporting heritage.
Personal Life
Paulson has three siblings, including her twin sister, Sarah, who played alongside her at Stanford and shares her passion for the game. Her parents, Jen and Greg Paulson, supported her development through MVLA Soccer Club and Saint Francis High School before she committed to the Cardinal. She graduated from Stanford University in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, and society.
2025 Season Performance
Catherine Paulson’s 2025 season revolved around her continued development at Bay FC in the NWSL. After signing a short-term contract in March and later being re-signed through the end of the campaign, she integrated into the matchday squad and steadily earned more minutes. Her first NWSL appearance came on August 10, 2025, as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw against the Chicago Stars.
As the season progressed, Paulson transitioned from brief cameos into a more established role, ultimately making her first professional start on October 17, 2025, in a 4–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage. Although she did not find the net during the NWSL regular season, her growth in possession, defensive work rate, and positional versatility gave Bay FC another midfield option during the closing stretch of the year.