Katie Stengel Bio
Katherine Nicole Lampson, née Stengel, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Born on February 29, 1992, in Melbourne, Florida, she has built a career that has carried her across the United States, Germany, England, Australia, and Norway. Stengel is best known for her prolific scoring record at Wake Forest University, her title-winning spell with Bayern Munich, and her international success with the United States at the Under-20 level. She announced her engagement to former professional goalkeeper Matt Lampson in January 2026 and now uses her married name professionally.
Early Life and Background
Katherine Nicole Stengel was born and raised in Melbourne, Florida, where she developed an early passion for soccer. She attended Viera High School, playing for the school team from 2006 to 2009 and developing into one of the most promising young strikers in the state. Her youth club experience with Space Coast United helped sharpen the technical foundation that would later define her as a forward.
Stengel came from a family with deep ties to competitive sports. Her father, Scott Stengel, played for the Air Force Academy, and her younger sister, Jackie Stengel, later played soccer at North Carolina State University. That family background gave her an early understanding of discipline, competition, and the demands of high-level athletics.
Path to Soccer
Stengel enrolled at Wake Forest University in 2010, joining the Demon Deacons women’s soccer program and quickly establishing herself as a central figure in the team’s attack. By the time she completed her college career in 2013, she had set the program’s all-time scoring record with 50 goals in 75 appearances. She was a four-time All-ACC honoree and a three-time All-America, becoming in 2011 the first Wake Forest player ever to earn first-team All-America recognition.
Her college success drew the attention of the United States youth national team setup, and she was called into the Under-20 squad in 2011. In 2012, Stengel helped the United States win the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship and then traveled to Japan for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she appeared in four matches and scored three goals as the U.S. captured the title. Those performances confirmed her status as one of the top young forwards in the country.
Katie Stengel Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
In January 2014, Stengel opted to skip the NWSL College Draft and instead signed with the Los Angeles Blues of the USL W-League, beginning her professional career with the California-based side. The move allowed her to play as a professional immediately and continue developing her game in a senior environment.
Her form in the United States was strong enough to attract international attention, and in June 2014 she joined Frauen-Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich. The transition to one of Europe’s top leagues marked the first major step in a career that would soon take her across multiple continents.
Bayern Munich Breakthrough (2014–2015)
Stengel’s arrival in Germany produced immediate results. Playing as a forward for Bayern Munich, she finished the 2014–15 season as the club’s leading scorer with nine goals, helping Bayern win the Frauen-Bundesliga title. The championship was the first major professional trophy of her career and a defining moment that elevated her profile on the global stage.
The success in Munich cemented her reputation as a clinical finisher capable of thriving in a top European league. After winning the title, Stengel returned to the United States to begin her NWSL career.
Washington Spirit and W-League Years (2015–2017)
In December 2015, Stengel signed with the Washington Spirit of the NWSL. In her first season she played 19 regular-season matches, starting ten and totaling 928 minutes, while contributing four goals. In 2016, Washington advanced to the NWSL Championship Game, which ended 2–2 after extra time before the Spirit lost 3–2 on penalties to the Western New York Flash, with Stengel converting her spot kick.
Alongside her NWSL duties, Stengel joined Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2016–17 W-League season, finishing as the team’s leading scorer with six goals. She also returned to the W-League with Newcastle Jets, where in 2017–18 she scored ten goals and finished second in the Golden Boot race behind Sam Kerr, helping Newcastle reach the Finals series for the first time since 2008–09.
Boston Breakers and Utah Royals (2017–2019)
After being released by the Washington Spirit in June 2017, Stengel was claimed off waivers by the Boston Breakers, where she appeared in 12 matches during the 2017 season. When the Breakers folded ahead of 2018, she was selected by the Utah Royals in the dispersal draft and quickly became a central part of the new franchise.
In her first year with Utah she appeared in 23 games, scored a team-leading six goals, and recorded the first brace in Royals history. She returned to the Royals in 2019, playing all 24 matches and scoring twice as she continued to provide veteran leadership in the attack.
Houston Dash and European Move (2020–2022)
On January 8, 2020, the Utah Royals traded Stengel and a third-round pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft to the Houston Dash in exchange for second-round picks in 2020 and 2021. She spent two seasons in Houston before being waived by the club in May 2021.
Stengel then moved to Norwegian club Vålerenga for the 2021–22 campaign, continuing her career in European football. On January 6, 2022, she signed with Liverpool of the English Women’s Super League, reuniting with manager Matt Beard, who had previously coached her at the Boston Breakers.
Gotham FC Era (2023–Present)
On July 5, 2023, Liverpool loaned Stengel to NJ/NY Gotham FC of the NWSL, and the move was made permanent on September 13, 2023. After just over a year in New Jersey, she signed a two-year deal with English Women’s Super League side Crystal Palace on September 13, 2024. She then returned to Gotham FC on July 31, 2025, with Crystal Palace relinquishing her in exchange for an undisclosed fee, and on February 24, 2026, she signed a contract extension to remain with Gotham through the 2026 season.
At Gotham, Stengel has continued to serve as an experienced forward in the NWSL, bringing a wealth of league and international know-how to the squad. Her consistent production and leadership have made her a key contributor in the club’s attacking rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stengel is recognized for her movement off the ball, her finishing inside the penalty area, and her ability to link play with midfield runners. Coaches have praised her tactical intelligence and her willingness to press defenders high up the field, a style that has translated well across the Frauen-Bundesliga, the W-League, the English Women’s Super League, and the NWSL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Stengel’s career are her role in the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup triumph, her nine-goal season with Bayern Munich that helped deliver a Frauen-Bundesliga title, and her place in Wake Forest history as the all-time leading scorer. She also became the first player in Utah Royals history to score a brace, underscoring her knack for landmark moments.
Katie Stengel Career Wins
Stengel’s trophy cabinet includes league and international titles gathered across multiple countries. She has won the Frauen-Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, and the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with the United States Under-20 team.
Bayern Munich Highlights
Stengel joined Bayern Munich in June 2014 and wasted little time making an impact. She led the team in scoring during the 2014–15 Frauen-Bundesliga campaign with nine goals, helping Bayern secure the league title. The season stands as the most decorated club chapter of her professional career.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her Bayern title, Stengel recorded standout individual performances with Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets, the Boston Breakers, the Utah Royals, the Houston Dash, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace, regularly finishing among her teams’ leading scorers. She was second in the W-League Golden Boot race in 2017–18, finished as the Wanderers’ top scorer in 2016–17, and set the early scoring standard for the expansion-era Utah Royals.
Katie Stengel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stengel comes from a deeply athletic family. Her father, Scott Stengel, played soccer for the Air Force Academy, and her younger sister, Jackie Stengel, played for the North Carolina State University women’s soccer program. That family connection to the sport helped shape her competitive foundation from an early age.
Personal Life
Stengel announced her engagement to former professional goalkeeper Matt Lampson in January 2026. The couple married approximately one month later, and she subsequently began using her married name, Katherine Nicole Lampson, professionally.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign was a transitional year for Stengel. After beginning the year with Crystal Palace in the English Women’s Super League, she returned to Gotham FC of the NWSL on July 31, 2025, with Crystal Palace receiving an undisclosed transfer fee. The midseason move allowed her to finish the year in a familiar league environment alongside familiar teammates.
At Gotham, Stengel provided veteran presence and attacking depth during the NWSL regular season and playoff push. Her familiarity with the league, combined with her international experience, helped stabilize the forward line as the club pushed toward the postseason.
Following the season, on February 24, 2026, Stengel signed a contract extension to remain with Gotham through the 2026 NWSL campaign, signaling the club’s confidence in her continued contribution. With the extension in place, she is expected to play a central role in Gotham’s attack for the upcoming season.
