One of the most decorated women’s soccer players in Stanislaus State history is embarking on the next chapter of her career with one of the most successful professional clubs in Europe.
Alumna Makeila Yancey, a four-year star and two-time captain for the Warriors, has signed with 10-time defending Lithuanian champion FC Gintra for the remainder of the 2026 season. The club announced the signing on July 24.
“I appreciate the club's stability, history and ability to create a winning culture and have high ambitions for such a long time,” Yancey said in a press release. “I wanted to become part of an environment where I could set higher and higher standards for myself every day. I believe this is the right place for me as a player, and I really want to be useful to the team.”
Yancey, 21, is expected to be a key player on defense as FC Gintra prepares for the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying rounds and aims to capture its 25th Women's A Lyga championship in club history later this year. Club officials praised Yancey's leadership, discipline and versatility, noting her ability to play both center back and outside back.
“Makeila is a young but highly motivated footballer with leadership qualities and a strong character,” said club director Mantas Radavičius. “She has already been the captain of her university team, and such experience is always valuable. We believe that her fighting spirit, disciplined play and desire to improve will help the team strengthen its defensive line ahead of the upcoming UEFA Women's Champions League qualifiers.”
Yancey is no stranger to high-stakes soccer, as she helped the Warriors qualify for the CCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons and advance to the semifinals three times. During the 2025 tournament, she scored a goal and added two assists while anchoring the defense. The year prior, she scored the game-winning goal in a first-round victory over Cal Poly Humboldt.
Yancey was also a model of consistency and dependability at Stan State. Over her final two seasons at Stan State, she started every match and logged 3,610 of a possible 3,620 minutes on the pitch. During her collegiate career in Turlock, Yancey appeared in 73 matches, made 72 starts and logged 6,375 minutes. She totaled four goals and seven assists for 15 points. As a senior, she earned United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-West Region and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors and was selected to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-West Region Team.
“I am a tenacious and reliable defender,” Yancey said. “It is important for me to win duels, fight for every ball and give my all when I am on the field. I also like to contribute to the development of attacks, to maintain control of the ball and help the team smoothly transition from defense to offense.”
Aside from establishing herself as one of the conference's top defenders, Yancey excelled in the classroom as a biology major. She earned CCAA All-Academic honors, was named to the CCAA and Stan State Academic Honor Roll lists and received Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement recognition across multiple years. In 2024, she was inducted into the inaugural class of the Stan State chapter of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society. She was also Stan State's recipient of the CCAA Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award for the 2025-26 academic year. The award is presented annually to student-athletes who best exemplify academic excellence, athletic achievement and community service.
Additionally, Yancey served as Stan State’s ASI Director of Athletics and was president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, demonstrating a passion for advocating for student-athletes and strengthening the campus community. Assistant Athletics Director Katherine Meyer described Yancey as the true embodiment of a Warrior.
“Makeila’s lasting impact on Stanislaus State extends far beyond the soccer field as she set a remarkable example through her work ethic, competitive spirit, academic excellence and commitment to service,” Meyer said. “We are incredibly proud to see her achieve this milestone and continue her journey at the professional level. We have no doubt she will represent Stanislaus State with the same character, determination, and leadership that distinguished her throughout her time here.”
With FC Gintra, Yancey will wear the No. 2 jersey because her favorite No. 22 is already in use. She said that her first impressions of Lithuania and the organization have been positive.
“My teammates immediately welcomed me very warmly so I can concentrate only on my essential tasks, which the coaching staff has planned for me,” Yancey said.
