No. 9 Michigan State women’s soccer continues to add accolades to its excellent season, with three players earning United Soccer Coaches All-American honors. The three selections are the most in a single season in program history.
Junior forward Kennedy Bell and junior midfielder Kayla Briggs both earned spots on the Second Team — MSU's second and third selections to that team, following Lauren DeBeau in 2022. Senior defender Maggie Illig was named to the Third Team, bringing MSU’s total number of All-Americans to 10, seven of whom have come during head coach Jeff Hosler’s tenure.
Bell and Briggs delivered attacking performances that rank among the top 25 individual seasons in program history. The transfer duo posted career-best numbers and powered the Spartan offense in its historic season. Bell led the team with 11 goals, and she and Briggs shared the team lead in assists with 7 each. Bell’s 29 points are the most by a player in the Hosler era and rank 12th all-time in program history.
Bell’s ever-growing list of honors for her shining season now includes Second Team All-American, First Team All-Region, First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Forward of the Year, Hermann Trophy Watchlist, Academic All-Big Ten and CSC Academic All-District. Her 11 goals ranked first in the Big Ten and 39th nationally, while her 29 points also lead the Big Ten and rank 34th nationally.
Briggs' 8 goals and 23 points, along with her 7 assists, put her tied for second for the team lead in goals and second in points. Briggs recorded 69 shots throughout the season, the 5th-most in Spartan soccer history. She ranked 24th in the nation for game-winning goals, with 5 of her 8 goals proving to be the difference maker. The Canadian always stepped up when her team needed her most. Briggs was also First Team All-Region and First Team All-Big Ten.
Illig anchored the Spartan defense while scoring a career-best 3 goals, matching her total from her previous three seasons combined. She played a pivotal role in MSU allowing just 1.15 goals per game in front of a pair of freshman goalkeepers. Illig started all 25 games at center back and led the team in minutes, helping the Spartans concede more than 1 goal in only four matches all season. She adds this Third Team selection to an already strong résumé that includes First Team All-Region, First Team All-Big Ten, the Hermann Trophy Watch List, Big Ten Players to Watch and United Soccer Coaches Defender to Watch.
Together, Illig, Bell and Briggs highlight the blend of experience and emerging talent that continues to elevate MSU into a national contender.
