This is the first of a series of summer 2026 updates on FCS graduates participating in collegiate or professional athletics.
Hardin Graduates from UGA, Joins Houston Dash of NWSL
Cate Hardin recently experienced a very pleasant surprise at the end of her collegiate soccer career.
The 2026 graduate of the University of Georgia wrapped up her fourth and final season of NCAA Division I soccer for the Lady Bulldogs in the fall of 2025 and received some good news from head coach Keidane McAlpine.
“It sort of fell in my lap,” Hardin said. “I did get an agent, but I was not sure if I was good enough or would have the opportunity to play professional soccer. Coach came up to me during the season and told me several [National Women’s Soccer League] teams were interested in me. Houston invited me to tryout [at training camp] in January and signed me in March. I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy!”
Hardin has moved back to midfield for the Dash, a position she grew up playing in youth soccer and at Fellowship Christian School, after playing defense at UGA.
“They converted me to defense at Georgia, but it’s been terrific to play midfield again,” she said. “It feels like I am coming back to my roots.”
Hardin has become the third FCS graduate to play professional sports, and second in pro soccer. Emily Sonnett, a 2012 graduate from Fellowship, has played many years in the NWSL. She is a member of the Gotham FC, a team that faces the Dash on May 31 at 3 p.m. Fellowship graduate Cameron Swartz has played pro basketball in her post high school and collegiate career.
Hardin, a 2022 FCS graduate, is living the dream in Houston.
“It’s been so great, and I love it,” Hardin said! “The Lord had a plan for me. I trusted Him! It’s been awesome here. I realized how quickly how super-fast the game is in this league. But I have adapted. I am getting better every game.”
Through May 29, the Dash are off to a 4-2-5 start through 11 matches.
During her four-year career at Georgia, Hardin helped the Lady Bulldogs posted a 44-22-21 record and an 18-10-12 mark in Southeastern Conference matches. The team finished 10-5-6 in the fall of 2025 and dropped a 2-0 decision to Ohio State University on Nov. 14, 2025, in the NCAAA Tournament. Hardin was named 2025 Second Team All SEC.
“I graduated this spring with a degree in sports management and a minor in business,” said Hardin, who took her final two classes online from Houston this spring. “I attended the graduation in May, and it was great to walk with my class. The team gave me permission to attend, and it felt extra special.”
She counts winning the SEC championship as a sophomore and the friendships she built with her Lady Bulldog teammates as her favorite memories in Athens.
“Those are my best memories,” Hardin said. “The people and the friendships I formed there were amazing.”
Hardin played in all 21 games for UGA her senior year, leading the team with 1,723 minutes played. She led the team with four assists and ranked third in shots (31) and shots on goal (nine).
During her career, Hardin played in 81 matches for UGA, including 70 starts and logged over 5,900 career minutes played. She was named to CSC Academic All-District Team in 2023 and 2005, was selected for the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and served as S.A.A.C. Team Representative for three consecutive seasons (2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26).
(Photo courtesy of Houston Dash, UGA)