Junior captain Charlotte Kohler’s goal in the 33rd minute proved to be the difference as No. 1 Stanford recorded a 1-0 shutout victory at Cal Poly on Sunday afternoon to open the 2026 season.
Kohler, who finished with seven shots in the contest, controlled a Cal Poly goal kick just shy of midfield, cut the ball to her left to evade a defender, and dribbled toward goal where she unleashed a left-footed shot from about 15 yards outside the goal. Her shot bent toward the back post and beat Mustang goalkeeper Shannon Porubski for the game-winner.
Sunday’s 1-0 victory marked the sixth consecutive campaign that Stanford opened the year with a shutout, and the Cardinal now own a 20-match unbeaten streak in season openers dating back to 2007.