Mississippi State soccer has enjoyed a record year in 2024. The Bulldogs have put together the best regular season in school history, and with the postseason set to begin, the awards are rolling in.
Bulldogs' head coach James Armstrong named SEC Coach of the Year
Leading a team to its best season in program history deservedly earns you honors. Sixth-year Mississippi State head coach James Armstrong was named SEC Coach of the Year after his Bulldogs finished the regular season with a program-record 16-1 season and a perfect 10-0 mark in SEC play to secure their first SEC regular season championship in history. Armstrong has led his squad set to make their third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and this time, they'll be one of the highest-seeded teams in the nation.
Three Bulldogs take home Player of the Year awards for 2024
Mississippi State had three players recognized as the very best at their respective positions. Graduate senior Macey Hodge was named SEC Midfielder of the Year. Hodge, long one of the leaders of the program, now takes home the ultimate honor. Graduate senior Maddy Anderson was named SEC Goalkeeper of the Year. Anderson put together a dominant year, leading the nation in shutout percentage and save percentage and leading the SEC in goals against average. Senior Rylie Combs was named SEC Defender of the Year. Combs led the nation's most dominant defense, which gave up just four goals the entire regular season.
Nine Mississippi State soccer stars earn All-SEC honors
As you would expect, the SEC champions were well-represented on the All-SEC teams. Midfielders Macey Hodge and Ally Perry, defender Rylie Combs, and goalkeeper Maddy Anderson were named 1st Team All-SEC. Forward Zoe Main, midfielder Ilana Izqquierdo, and defender Alexis Gutierrez were named 2nd Team All-SEC. Forward Aitana Martinez-Montoya earned 3rd Team honors, and Kennedy Husbands was named to the All-Freshman team.