Stanford captain Andrea Kitahata returns for final season of NCAA eligibility

STANFORD, Calif. – Andrea Kitahata has announced that she will return to Stanford for her fourth and final year of eligibility, forgoing professional opportunities that included a multi-year contract in the NWSL and interest from the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Kitahata said, “This was a very difficult decision for me with all the opportunities and growth at the professional level, but I have unfinished business at Stanford. We are looking for a national title and are primed to do it this season.”

A team captain this year, Kitahata led the Cardinal in goals (9), assists (6), game-winners (3) and points (24), and had a goal in five consecutive matches in the 2024 season – becoming the first Cardinal to score in five consecutive matches since Catarina Macario in the 2019 national title season. Kitahata has been a staple of the Cardinal program, leading the team to the College Cup final and semi-final in back-to-back seasons.

“We are excited that Andrea is returning for her final year of eligibility,” Knowles Family Director of Women’s Soccer Paul Ratcliffe said. “She is an outstanding leader and has proven to be a dominant player during her career at Stanford. Andrea’s return will have a great impact on our team’s success next season.”

Over 74 career appearances at Stanford, Kitahata has scored 22 goals, including eight game-winners, with 22 assists for 66 points – the most assists and game-winners of any Cardinal to play on The Farm over the last four seasons.

A regular in the United States national team system, Kitahata has been called up for more than 35 youth national team camps. She competed for the United States in the 2022 U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup and scored seven goals for the U.S. as the second-highest goal scorer in the 2022 U20 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.