Justina Gabrielle Gaynor (born December 21, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Butler Bulldogs and the Michigan State Spartans, earning Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and three-time first-team conference honors. She is the sister of soccer player Celia Gaynor.

Early life and college career

Gaynor grew up in Shelby Township, Michigan, one of three children born to Paul and Rita Gaynor. Her older sister, Celia, played alongside her at Butler and Michigan State. She played soccer and basketball at Notre Dame Preparatory. She played club soccer for Nationals Development Academy, winning three USYS national titles.[3][4]

Butler Bulldogs, Michigan State Spartans

Gaynor spent one season with the Butler Bulldogs, playing in the spring after the usual fall season was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She started all 12 games and scored 2 goals.[3] She then transferred alongside her sister to the Michigan State Spartans.[5] She appeared in 17 games, starting 11 of them, and scored 2 goals in her first season in East Lansing in 2021.[4] She established herself on the team as a junior in 2022, starting all 23 games, scoring 4 goals with 2 assists, and being named first-team All-Big Ten. Michigan State went undefeated in their Big Ten Conference schedule to win their first-ever outright regular-season title, losing to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament final.[4][6]

Gaynor started all 22 games in senior season and led the team in outfield minutes in 2023, recording a career-high 6 goals and 12 assists. In the NCAA tournament, she scored from the penalty spot in a 1–0 win against Harvard, which led Michigan State to advance to the third round of the tournament for the first time in program history. She was named first-team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year.[4][6] In her graduate season in 2024, she played 21 games, starting all but one of them, and scored 5 goals with 6 assists. Michigan State equaled their best NCAA tournament result. Gaynor was named first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American, becoming the fourth All-American in program history.[4][7]

Club career

Chicago Stars

Following a preseason trial as a non-roster invitee, Gaynor signed her first professional contract with Chicago Stars FC on March 12, 2025, signing a one-year deal with an option to extend for another year. Previously a midfielder, she made Chicago's roster as a defender.[8] Two days later, she made her professional debut, coming on as a substitute for Camryn Biegalski on the opening matchday, a 6–0 defeat to defending champions Orlando Pride.[9]

Honors and awards

Michigan State Spartans

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Michigan State University Commencement Spring 2024" (PDF). Michigan State University. p. 41. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  2. ^ "Justina Gaynor". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Justina Gaynor". Butler Bulldogs. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Justina Gaynor". Michigan State Spartans. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  5. ^ Everson, Bryan (July 19, 2024). "Former Notre Dame Prep, MSU standout Celia Gaynor ready to shine with Fort Lauderdale United FC". The Oakland Press. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Shubham, Satvik (December 5, 2024). "A grateful goodbye: Justina Gaynor closes final chapter with MSU women's soccer". The State News. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  7. ^ "Justina Gaynor Named United Soccer Coaches All-America". Michigan State Spartans. December 6, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Tesmer, Logan (March 12, 2025). "Michigan State University soccer standout Justina Gaynor signs with Chicago Stars FC". CBS News. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  9. ^ Justina Gaynor at Soccerway Edit this at Wikidata
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justina_Gaynor
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