Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

UNC Wilmington Athletics

Scoreboard

Events/Results

Katrina Guillou WC

Women's Soccer Eliott Shanks, UNCW Athletic Communications Intern

Guillou Embraces World Cup Stage

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Generations of the Guillou family will come full circle when Katrina Guillou takes the pitch representing the Philippines, her mother Lorna's home country, at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia later this month.

The UNCW standout from 2012-15 is eager to take her family's name to a place it has never been before. 

A member of the Philippines Women's National Team since 2021, Guillou has scored 10 goals in 25 international contests. The 29-year-old Guillou looks to continue her strong play when the Philippines are joined by host New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland in Group A play.

An attacking midfielder and winger, Guillou earned her place on the national team roster in an unorthodox fashion. After her former UNCW coaches suggested she create a professional highlight reel of her play, Guillou submitted it to Philippine Football Federation.

The Philippines quickly became interested in adding the talented Seahawk alum, whose professional career has spanned four clubs across Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Two years later, Guillou stands to be a key cog as the country plays on the sport's biggest stage.

"I was just making my highlight real when I remembered what my old coach told me about getting my passport and looking to play internationally," said Guillou. "Getting to share this experience with my family means a lot to me."

Her mother, along with her aunt, will be in attendance when Guillou takes the pitch vs. Switzerland on July 21.

It took several years of hard work for Guillou to reach the pinnacle. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in northern Virginia, she began playing soccer at the age of three and earned a scholarship to UNCW in 2012.

A three-time All-CAA pick for the Seahawks, Guillou scored 30 goals and collected 14 assists across 80 games for the Seahawks. Her time in the Port City culminated with an at-large berth to the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament, where UNCW upset favorite South Carolina, 2-0, for the program's first-ever NCAA win.

Guillou credits UNCW with developing her game in the attacking midfield and winger positions, making her more comfortable and helping her read the game better.

"It's not too different, really. Everything is much more spread out than college's three-month window," explained Guillou. "At the professional and international levels, it's a long game. You play one intense game per week and try to recover as fast as you can.

"I was able to add that to my strengths as a player and carry it with me to Europe."

Guillou explained that her mentality had not changed since her time as a Seahawk. As she has progressed through her pro career, she credits her desire to never settle and maintain focus to pushing her to new heights.

"I think the reason I'm at the top level is because I have that desire and hunger to see how far I can get," said Guillou. "Just pushing myself and trying to keep learning. That has been helpful in getting to where I am now." 

Now, as she and her Philippine teammates make final preparations for New Zealand, Guillou reflects on the journey that's put her on the doorstep of a childhood dream.

"Within the last 18 months, there have been a bunch of 'firsts,'" said Guillou. "To be the first team to go to the World Cup and possibly the first team to win or score, sharing that experience and having kids look up to us means a lot to me and feels great."
 
Print Friendly Version