University of Manitoba Athletics

Recruited by the University of Manitoba ahead of the 2016 season, Katherine Meo brings to the Bison women’s soccer team a wide range of positional coverage. She can play on the left and right sides of the backend and can even play in a more advanced holding position in midfield.

“I bring good anticipation of passes while in a defensive position,” she said.

“I can distribute the ball from both feet, I go hard into tackles and my speed and transition are what I can bring to the team.”

Growing up in Thunder Bay, Meo has been in the competitive soccer spotlight for eight years. She’s appeared in three high school provincial tournaments, suiting up for the St. Patrick Saints. In her time with the Green and Gold, she captured two city championships.

Her journey to the Bisons began when assistant coach Gary Johnson attended a Thunder Bay Chill match in the Winnipeg league. He invited Meo to the Junior Bisons training camp in July of 2016. Head coach Martinez Lagunas wanted to see more from the potential Bison first-teamer.

“She came to watch some of my games later in the summer and gave me a letter of intent in September.”

After her first season honing her game on the brown and gold practice roster, she has learned not to take anything for granted. 

“Three years ago, I realized that just because you get recruited, doesn’t mean you’ll play every game. You have to work hard to earn your spot.” 

And she did just that. Meo won a spot in the Bison’s starting XI and appeared in all 14 regular season games during the 2017-18 season. 

“I felt like my performance in the 2017-18 season definitely improved as the season went on.”

Her rapid ascension from being a redshirted player to starter also earned her Bison soccer’s Rookie of the Year for 2017. She was just as impressive in 2018 playing and starting in all 14 contests. Meo will once again be looked upon as a critical member of Manitoba's back end in 2019.

"This year I’m hoping to improve my leadership on the team, along with being a crucial player on the field. I’m hoping to get a few points this season and hopefully a goal!"