Pennsylvania State University senior forward Payton Linnnehan (12) works to defend against MSU's junior forward Justina Gaynor (18) at DeMartin Soccer Stadium on Oct. 1, 2023.
The back-to-back Big Ten champion Michigan State women's soccer team collected nine Big Ten postseason awards, the league announced Friday.
Senior midfielder Justina Gaynor collected Midfielder of the Year honors and was named to the All-Big Ten First Team for the second straight season. She has been the heartbeat of MSU’s midfield in 2023, totaling a team-high 19 points and contributing at least a point in 13 games.
Justina Gaynor. 2023 BIG TEN MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR. 💪#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/XUkc0gxYZL
— Michigan State Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) October 27, 2023
Freshman forward/midfielder Bella Najera also picked up an individual honor as Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the second in program history. The freshman phenom adds to her record-breaking campaign, earning four Freshman of the Week awards and leading all Big Ten freshmen in points (18) and goals (7).
MSU's second-ever Big Ten Freshman of the Year... Bella Najera! 🌟 #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/R5dbwPdpmb
— Michigan State Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) October 27, 2023
Najera was also named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and was the first Spartan freshman to appear in all 18 games.
Graduate defenders Celia Gaynor and Raegan Cox were named to the All-Big Ten First Team alongside Justina Gaynor, with Cox earning her second career All-Big Ten honor. Both played pivotal roles in MSU’s back line, helping the Spartans to seven shutouts this season.
Sophomore midfielder Emerson Sargeant made the All-Big Ten Second Team after being named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team last season. The Hartland, Michigan native ranks fourth in total points (12) for MSU in 2023 and started every game but one.
MSU selected junior forward Jordyn Wickes as its representative for the Sportsmanship Award, recognizing her academic prowess, sportsmanship and citizenship off the pitch. Wickes tied Najera for first in team goals (7) this season.
Jordyn Wickes! A leader on and off the field.
— Michigan State Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) October 27, 2023
Our 2023 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner 🫶#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/FfNAZfDmBZ
Looking ahead to the Big Ten Tournament, MSU, the 1-seed by virtue of a tiebreaker, will host 8-seeded Iowa in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.
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