Cal’s star forward Karlie Lema, who won ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors after the Golden Bears’ first year in the conference, signed a three-year contract with Bay FC, it was announced Monday.
The addition of Lema, a former Live Oak High star who scored 16 goals for Cal in 21 games last season, is a significant move for Bay FC as it took advantage of the abolition of the NWSL draft to secure one of the nation’s top women’s collegiate soccer players.
The NWSL’s recent CBA not only allows players to sign with any team it chooses by eliminating the draft, it’s one of the most progressive pro-player deals of any professional league in the country. Guaranteed contracts and no trades unless approved by the player are other perks for players in the deal signed in August.
“We are thrilled to announce the signing of Karlie Lema, a dynamic and talented player who embodies everything we strive for at Bay FC,” said head coach Albertin Montoya. “As the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Karlie has proven her ability to make an impact with her exceptional pace and clinical finishing, making her a constant threat on the field. Adding a local talent of her caliber to our roster is incredibly exciting, and we can’t wait to see her bright future unfold as she grows with our team.”
Lema, whose contract includes an option year for a fourth season in 2028, will be reunited with Montoya, her coach while she played for the Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club before heading to Cal.
Lema joins a Bay FC squad that qualified for the playoffs while setting an NWSL record for most wins by an expansion team (11). She’ll also join an attack led by Racheal Kundananji, Asisat Oshoala and Penelope Hocking.
