Gaynor’s journey with the Spartans began in the fall of 2021 when she transferred from Butler University. In her first season at MSU, she quickly established herself as a critical part of the team, appearing in 17 matches and starting 11. That foundational year set the stage for her rise as a leader in a program on the cusp of greatness.

By her second season in 2022, Gaynor had become a cornerstone of the team. It was a season for the history books, as MSU achieved an impressive 17-3-3 record and went undefeated in Big Ten play. The remarkable campaign earned the Spartans their first-ever outright Big Ten Championship and solidified their place as a rising power in collegiate soccer.

"Two years ago, everything was so new," Gaynor said. "Our familiarity with success was super new. We went undefeated in the conference. That was the craziest, real feeling, and it was our first time for most of the girls on the team to ever play in an NCAA Tournament game."

The Spartans didn’t stop there. Building on newfound success, Gaynor and her teammates continued to elevate the program in 2023 and 2024. Gaynor’s ability to read the game, deliver pinpoint passes and guide the team made her one of the most respected midfielders in the country.

In 2023, she recorded six goals and a team-high 12 assists, starting all 22 matches and logging more minutes than any other field player. Gaynor's consistency earned Big Ten Midfielder of the Year honors and cemented her legacy as one of MSU’s all-time greats.

"Each year brings new challenges," Gaynor said. "Figuring out leadership roles, bringing our transfers in and getting them into our system was difficult. Each team is different, has different strengths, so working through that every season to figure out what those strengths are and really build on that is important."

Her efforts weren’t just about individual accolades. Gaynor’s leadership was instrumental in guiding MSU to its deepest NCAA Tournament run at the time in 2023, highlighted by a 1-0 victory over Harvard in the second round. The Spartans became a force to be reckoned with, and Gaynor’s fingerprints were all over their success.

Gaynor has a familial history of soccer excellence, with her sister, Celia Gaynor, also playing for MSU before being selected in the NWSL draft by the Chicago Red Stars.

Off the field, Gaynor was the epitome of the student-athlete ideal. A United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American and recipient of numerous academic honors, she excelled in her studies while balancing the demands of elite athletics.

In 2024, her final season, the creative midfielder was sent off with the program's joint-best run in the NCAA Tournament. Gaynor has experienced all of head coach Jeff Hosler’s esteemed tenure thus far, three seasons in which MSU captured three of its seven-ever NCAA Tournament appearances.

Now, as she prepares to leave MSU, Gaynor’s emotions are a mix of gratitude and pride. She knows her impact on the program will endure, and the legacy she leaves behind is one of resilience, brilliance and unyielding love for the game. After MSU's first-round NCAA Tournament win against Western Michigan, Gaynor reflected on her time playing in East Lansing. 

"I love this place, I love this field, I love the team," Gaynor said. "Before the game, I just took a minute to be super thankful and grateful for all the time that I've spent here."

While Gaynor's time on the pitch at DeMartin Stadium has come to an end, her story will inspire future Spartans to chase greatness, just as she did.