Who is the goalkeeper who secured the PH women’s national football team’s first SEA Games gold?
The Philippine women’s national football team bagged their first SEA Games gold after edging out regional powerhouse Vietnam in a close finals match. Half-Filipina goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel secured the game-winning save to send the Filipinas over the hump, winning 6-5 in a do-or-die penalty shootout.
And this upset win ended Vietnam’s attempt at a five-peat in the SEA Games.
Olivia Alexandra Davies McDaniel, the emergent hero of the Filipinas’ SEA Games run, is no stranger to the bright lights of the international stage. First making her debut for the women’s national team in the 2021 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, she quickly cemented her position as the team’s primary goalkeeper.
McDaniel also notoriously made the two key saves and the penalty kick that sent the Philippines to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Here’s what we know about the star goalkeeper.
Her Filipina roots
McDaniel, aged 28, was born and raised in California to Clint and Lindy McDaniel. Lindy is a Filipina with roots in Pampanga and Davao City, while Clint is a football coach.
She attended Norco High School and became a standout football talent, earning the Best Defensive Player honors and winning the Golden Glove as a sophomore—she also won the Golden Glove again in her junior year. After spending a year at California State University, Fullerton, she moved to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
McDaniel graduated in 2020 with a communications major. She initially wanted to become a sports broadcaster at ESPN.
A family affair
McDaniel’s sister, Chandler, also plays football with Olivia in both the Philippine women’s national football team and Stallion Laguna FC. Chandler and star striker Sarina Bolden, however, weren’t able to join the team for the SEA games.
Meanwhile, her brother Griffin has also suited up for the men’s national football team. He previously played in the 2022 AFF U-23 Youth Championship in Cambodia.
On the other hand, Clint serves as the assistant coach for Stallion Laguna FC.
Fun facts about Olivia McDaniel
1. She briefly played in the Série A1 league
After playing in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, McDaniel had a brief stint in Stallion Laguna before moving to Brazil’s Série A1 league in 2024. She played six games for Santos FC before going back to Stallion Laguna.
2. She can kick, too
Goalkeepers are meant to stop goals, not save them. But for McDaniel, being all the way on the other side of the field couldn’t stop her from also netting in a goal of her own. On June 7, 2025, McDaniel shot a long-range free kick in the 75th minute, breaking a tie against Makati FC in the PFF Women’s League.
3. She’s already a legend
Having several iconic saves is already enough to cement McDaniel’s place in Philippine women’s football history—but let’s add tenure and longevity to the list. The superstar goalkeeper celebrated her 50th international appearance for the Philippines back in July of this year. Following her impressive stops in this SEA Games, she doesn’t look like she’s slowing down anytime soon.
4. She’s a fan of BTS
Deep in her Instagram feed, McDaniel is seen attending BTS’s Permission to Dance on Stage tour at SoFi Stadium back in 2021. She’s also a fan of J-Hope.
