Stanford retires Katie Meyer’s No. 19 jersey in pregame ceremony before 2-2 draw vs. USC

STANFORD, CA – On a night that Stanford retired the No. 19 worn by the late Katie Meyer, the top-ranked Cardinal played to a 2-2 draw with USC from Cagan Stadium.

With the draw, Stanford moves to 5-0-1 on the year, while USC is now 1-3-2.

The pregame ceremony featured Katie’s parents, Steve and Gina, being presented with framed No. 19 jerseys before the Cardinal unveiled a No. 19 decal that adorns a portion of the wall along the south end of the facility.

Following the emotional ceremony, the Cardinal and Trojans played to an even first half as Stanford held a narrow 6-4 advantage in shots following the first 45 minutes. Junior captain Charlotte Kohler opened the scoring with a goal in the 36th minute, but USC managed to find the equalizer in the 43rd to send the teams into the locker rooms knotted at a goal apiece.

Teamwork makes the dream work ✨

Peyton Marinos ➡️ Charlotte Kohler

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— Stanford Women’s Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) September 4, 2026

Kohler’s goal was her fifth in the first six matches this year, and she has now managed at least a point in all six contests. After challenging a USC defender and forcing a deflection to freshman Peyton Marinos, Kohler received a perfect pass from Marinos before unleashing a right-footed shot that hit off the crossbar and bounced down over the line for the goal.

The goal allowed in the first half was the first allowed by the Cardinal this season after opening the year with five consecutive shutouts.

While it was USC that took the early lead in the second half, benefitting from a Peyton Nakagawara goal in the 54th minute, Stanford proved to be the aggressor in the final 45 minutes.

The Cardinal posted a 20-5 advantage in shots in the second half, but despite a handful of quality chances, struggled to find the equalizer. After winning a free kick just outside the top of the box in the 76th minute, Kohler lined up her shot and pinged it off the woodwork as the Trojans held onto the 2-1 advantage.

Continuing to knock on the door down the stretch, the Cardinal finally found the equalizer in the 87th minute when Milly Bray played a ball into the box and Brooke Holden battled for position and muscled her right-footed shot into the back of the net.

The Cardinal was knocking. Brooke Holden busted down the door for the equalizer 🧨

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— Stanford Women’s Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) September 4, 2026

A flurry of chances in the waning seconds nearly saw the Cardinal steal the comeback victory, but a final effort from Marinos with just seconds remaining floated over the bar as the two teams settled for a point apiece.

USC goalkeeper Josie Biehl was credited with seven saves on the night, while fifth-year keeper Rhiannon Stewart managed four for Stanford.

The Cardinal will be back in action on Sunday when it travels to Santa Clara for a 1 p.m. match that will air live on ESPNU.