Caroline Birkel

College career

Birkel enrolled early and began training with the Stanford Cardinal in the spring of 2025. In the fall, she became the first true freshman to start in goal for the Cardinal since Jane Campbell in 2013. In the NCAA tournament, she helped Stanford reach the final, losing to Florida State. After her freshman season, she was named first-team All-ACC and the ACC Goalkeeper of the Year.

International career

Birkel was one of two high school players (alongside Addison Halpern) named to the United States under-20 roster for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, serving as the third-stringer as the team won bronze.

Honors and awards

Stanford Cardinal Atlantic Coast Conference: 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference tournament: 2025

United States U-20 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup bronze medal: 2024

Individual ACC Goalkeeper of the Year: 2025 First-team All-ACC: 2025 Chalupny Award: 2026