EAST LANSING— With two midfielders potentially moving on prior to the 2021 season, including four-year starter Danielle Stephan, some depth was sorely needed for MSU coach Jeff Hosler.

Enter Butler transfer, Justina Gaynor.

Welcome to East Lansing, Justina!!

▫️Started every match at Butler

▫️BIG EAST weekly honor roll (Feb 22)

▫️Former Golden Ball Award winner at USYS Nationals

▫️3x US Youth Soccer National Champion

▫️Dev. Academy National Finalist 2018

▫️ODP state, regional & national camps pic.twitter.com/0TnJIZaW8Y

— MSU Women’s Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) July 15, 2021

Gaynor, who started in all 12 games in 2020 as a freshman, was seventh in scoring for the Bulldogs with five points, including two goals. She, along with her teammates, helped propel Butler to a 10-2 overall record and a 6-1 conference record that included a berth in the 2020 Big East Tournament championship game.

Gaynor, a Michigan native, grew up in Shelby Township and spent her high school career at the Notre Dame Preparatory School, located in Pontiac.  As a freshman at Notre Dame Prep, she received All-District and All-Region honors in addition to being named a third-team All-State selection. She also spent four years as a member of her school’s varsity basketball team and was a National Honors Society member.

For MSU coach Jeff Hosler, Gaynor is the third transfer with strong Michigan ties. He previously managed to acquire former Grand Valley State forward Ava Cook and Central Michigan forward Lauren DeBeau on June 25; Hosler also announced the recent hirings of Gabe Romo and Megan Link as assistant coaches on July 8.