STANFORD, Calif. – The women's soccer program has received a generous gift from an anonymous donor that invests in our top-notch coaching staff.
The gift is creating an endowed assistant coaching position that honors all-time great Catarina Macario, Stanford's first two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner. Melissa Charloe will be the inaugural Catarina Macario Assistant Women's Soccer Coach.
"We are very grateful for this gift and excited to honor one of our best ever," said Bernard Muir, the Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics. "Our women's soccer program boasts a long list of accomplished student-athletes, and it is wonderful to see one of them recognized with such generosity."
Macario helped guide the Cardinal to three College Cup appearances and national titles in 2017 and 2019. In 2019, she became just the fifth player in NCAA history to win the MAC Hermann Trophy in consecutive seasons after leading the nation in goals (32), assists (23), and points (87); all three totals set single-season program records en route to Stanford's third national title. She was also the three-time ESPNW Player of the Year, three-time First Team All-American, and 2019 Honda Sport Award winner for soccer, which is presented annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports and signifies "the best of the best in collegiate athletics."
Macario's storied three-year career on the Farm saw her score 63 goals while assisting on a program-record 47 more to finish with 173 points. Her goals and points totals trail only Stanford Hall of Famer Christen Press in the history of the program.
"I've been fortunate to coach some of the top players in college soccer here at Stanford, and Catarina is among the best of the best," said Paul Ratcliffe, the Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer. "Her outstanding career is already etched in the record books, and thanks to this generous gift, her legacy will continue to live on within our program forever."
Following her Stanford playing career, Macario signed a professional contract with Lyon, playing a crucial role in helping the French outfit to the 2021-22 French title and UEFA Women's Champions League, scoring 23 goals in 33 games and becoming the first American to score in a Women's Champions League final. Most recently, Macario made the switch to Chelsea in July 2023, inking a three-year deal with the historic English club of the FA Women's Super League.
Hailing from San Diego, but born in Brazil, Macario has represented the United States at various levels throughout her career, including making her debut for the U.S. Women's National Team in January 2021. In 17 appearances with the USWNT, Macario has scored eight goals and totaled two assists.
"Stanford's soccer program has fostered some of the best players in the world, so I am incredibly humbled to have this position named in my honor," said Macario. "Having met many wonderful, inspiring people while at the Farm, I hope this gift will help inspire future generations of women's soccer players to accomplish even greater feats."