BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
Katie Meyer, a captain and goalkeeper for Stanford Women’s Soccer who made an exceptional impact at the university, has died in her dorm. She was 22.
The university didn’t release the circumstances surrounding her death or the cause, except that she died in an on-campus residence on Monday.
Hundreds of Stanford students gathered for a candlelight vigil at the soccer field last night to remember Meyer, and tributes poured in from the sports world.
“Katie was an outstanding student-athlete and a beloved leader here at Stanford,” Athletics Director Bernard Muir said. “Our entire athletics community is heartbroken.”
Meyer, a senior majoring in International Relations, was “extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world,” said Susie Brubaker-Cole, the vice provost for student affairs.
“Her friends describe her as a larger-than-life team player in all her pursuits,” Brubaker-Cole wrote. “Katie was a bright shining light for so many on the field and in our community.”
Meyer made two key saves in a penalty shootout against North Carolina to lead Stanford to its third NCAA women’s soccer championship in 2019. The saves, and her fired-up celebration afterwards, made it on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” that night.
Meyer talked about that moment in an interview with Just Women’s Sports.
“My reaction came from all the work that went into that championship and all the joy I have for the sport,” she said. “You have all these ups and downs in your soccer career and then you get the big yes, and you know this is exactly what you are supposed to be doing. There’s no purer joy.”
Passion, charisma, intelligence, humor
Meyer went on to intern for Just Women’s Sports, a sports media company, and became an advocate for women in sports.
Just Women’s Sports said that Katie was a tremendous leader, and her energy inspired everyone she knew.
“With every interaction, we felt her passion, charisma, intelligence and humor,” the company said.
The Pac-12 Conference, National Women’s Soccer League and U.S. Soccer posted tributes to Meyer on Twitter, and former teammates and opponents also offered their condolences.
Meyer attended high school in Newbury Park, where she also played soccer and kicked for the football team.
Meyer had just started a live podcast called “Be the Mentality,” a project she said she was sitting on for two years. She interviewed her father, Steve, in the first episode on Feb. 13.
Stats
Meyer was a starter for three years at Stanford. She saved 112 goals and the team went 34-12-4 in her 50 games.
Meyer was a resident assistant in her dorm. Brubaker-Cole said the university is offering counseling at her residence hall and to student athletes.
Meyer is survived by her parents, Steven and Gina Meyer, and her sisters, Samantha and Siena.