Bears Welcome Back Gifford, Add Daily
BERKELEY – Cal women's soccer has signed two transfers to the women's soccer program, who will join the team for the upcoming 2022 season. Kailee Gifford returns to the Bears after one season away with Pepperdine, while Mya Daily comes to Cal after a standout freshman year with Long Beach State.
Gifford spent four seasons with the Bears from 2017 to 2021. She played 50 games in blue and gold while making 31 starts. Gifford started 30 of 34 games in 2019 and 2020, which was played in spring 2021. The defender tallied two goals and an assist in her career, with both goals proving to be game winners as she helped the Bears defeat Colorado in 2017 and No. 7 UCLA in 2019. She was on NCAA Tournament squads in both 2017 and 2019.
"Having Kailee return to play at Cal is just so cool," Cal head coach Neil McGuire said. "She is an outstanding player and person, who will bring great energy and experience to our squad. She is a highly talented defender who is gifted with many great attacking traits."
Gifford missed the 2018 season due to injury and collected an extra season of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will have one final year of eligibility in 2022. After graduating from Cal in spring 2021 with a degree in English and a minor in education, Gifford transferred to Pepperdine for the 2021 season. She was one of five players on the team to start in every game she played for the Wave. Gifford made 10 starts and tallied 722 minutes, playing more than 60 minutes in all but one contest.
She was also a two-time member of the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll and a CoSida Academic All-District First Team selection. She is a native of San Jose and went to the Harker School. She also attended U.S. U-14 National Team Camp and played club soccer for the De Anza Force.
Daily comes to Cal after earning Big West All-Freshman Team honors in her first year with Long Beach State. After converting to center back in the offseason, Daily started 16 contests and played at least 90 minutes 13 times. She helped LBSU to a standout defensive record as they gave up only .89 goals against per game, the best in the Big West. Daily helped the Beach to three shutouts.
"We are excited to bring Mya to Cal," McGuire said. "She is a very talented soccer player who can play a variety of positions. Mya has great soccer IQ. She's very skilled and plays with great composure."
Daily earned Academic All-Big West honors in 2021. Prior to Long Beach State, Daily attended Riverside Poly High School and played for Legends FC. Daily is now the fifth player on Cal from Legends FC, joining Makena Smith, Courtney Boone, Maya Griffin and Velize King. She will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Cal opens camp next week on August 1. The Bears open the 2022 season on August 18 as they head south to take on UC Irvine at 7 p.m. at Anteater Stadium. The Bears home opener will be August 28 as Cal takes on another opponent from the UC system, facing off with UC San Diego at 4 p.m. at Edwards Stadium.
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