Catherine Paulson

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 played college soccer for the Stanford Cardinal. She also played for Bay FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Early life Paulson was born in Mountain View and raised in Los Altos, California. She played basketball and danced in addition to playing soccer growing up.

College career

Paulson's freshman season with the Stanford Cardinal was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. She scored one goal in the 12 games she played, starting 6, in the spring of 2021. She graduated in the spring of 2024, receiving her bachelor's degree in science, technology, and society. On August 27, 2024, Bay announced she had signed her first professional contract with the club on a national team replacement deal as Savy King played at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She made her professional debut the same day in the club's friendly against Barcelona at PayPal Park.

Paulson returned to Bay as a preseason non-roster invitee in January 2025. On March 10, she signed a short-term contract through June. When it expired, she was re-signed until the end of the season. On August 10, she made her NWSL debut as a late substitute for Penelope Hocking in a 1–1 draw against the Chicago Stars. She made her first professional start in her sixth NWSL appearance in a 4–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage on October 17.

HB Køge Danish club HB Køge announced the signing of Paulson on March 19, 2026. She debuted for the club two days later in a 0–0 draw with Brøndby in the league. On April 2, she scored her first professional goal against the same opposition, capitalizing on Brøndby's error in the 2nd minute of the Danish Women's Cup semifinals second leg, to help HB Køge reach their first cup final.

Personal life Paulson is the daughter of Jen and Greg Paulson. Three generations of her family played college sports at Santa Clara University.

Honors and awards

Stanford Cardinal Pac-12 Conference: 2022

HB Køge A-Liga: 2025–26 Danish Women's Cup: 2025–26