Stanford University soccer goalkeeper
Katie Meyer,
who helped lead the school to its third women’s soccer championship in 2019, was found dead in a campus residence, according to university officials. She was 22 years old.
An investigation into the cause of death is pending, the Santa Clara County medical examiner’s office said Thursday morning. University officials said there is no ongoing safety threat on campus.
“Katie was extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world,” Stanford said in a statement. “Her friends describe her as a larger-than-life team player in all her pursuits…Katie was a bright shining light for so many on the field and in our community.”
Ms. Meyer was a senior majoring in international relations and a team captain on Stanford’s soccer team. She gained national attention for making two critical saves in a penalty shootout during the 2019 women’s soccer championship game against the University of North Carolina.
“There are no words to express the emptiness that we feel at this moment,” Stanford said. “We will grieve this great loss together, and we will be here for each other.”
Stanford said it has made counseling staff available on campus and is offering support to grieving students. “We can all help by checking in on friends and loved ones. Be caring to yourselves and one another,” the university said.
An online fundraiser to provide financial support to the Meyer family generated more than $100,000 as of Thursday afternoon, according to the GoFundMe page.
Ms. Meyer’s sister, Samantha, offered thanks to those who have offered support to her family, adding that funds raised on the GoFundMe page would go toward helping with memorial costs.
“There are no words,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Thank you for all the kindness extended to my family. I’m not ready to post anything big yet. We are broken-hearted and love Kat so much.”
Several sports organizations and athletes paid tribute to Ms. Meyer.
Star forward
Alex Morgan
said she is “incredibly saddened” over the loss of Ms. Meyer. “Thinking about all her family, friends, and teammates, right now and hoping they are getting all the love they need and deserve,” she wrote on Twitter.
The U.S. women’s national soccer team said on Twitter that the “thoughts and hearts of the entire U.S. Soccer Federation are with the family, friends, teammates and loved ones of Katie Meyer.”
“We join Stanford in mourning the loss of Katie Meyer,” the National Collegiate Athletic Association wrote on Twitter.
Write to Omar Abdel-Baqui at omar.abdel-baqui@wsj.com
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