Following a 7-1-3 conference campaign, the MSU women’s soccer team collected seven Big Ten postseason accolades, the conference announced Friday.
The seven all-conference accolades marks an MSU program record.
MSU women’s soccer earns record seven Big Ten postseason honors
Spartan graduate student midfielder Justina Gaynor (18) runs toward the Red Cedar Rowdies to celebrate making the game-winning goal against the University of Michigan at DeMartin Stadium on Oct. 5, 2024.
Graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor was named to the the All-Big Ten First Team for the third year in a row. Gaynor had a campaign to remember, collecting four goals and six assists in 17 games.
Junior defender Maggie Illig and graduate forward Meg Hughes made the second team, the first All-Big Ten postseason honor for each. Illig, leading MSU in minutes played, was a key contributor in 10 shutouts this season.
Hughes leads MSU in scoring with seven goals.
Sophomore attacking midfielder Bella Najera earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors for the second consecutive season, ranked second on the team in scoring.
Graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks joined Najera on the third team after a star-studded defensive season. Parks had an outstanding season in goal, earning two Big Ten weekly honors throughout the campaign. The Maryland native was also ranked second in the conference for scoreless affairs.
For the first time since 2006, the Spartans had multiple players earn Big Ten All-Freshman honors: midfielder Kaleigh McPherson and defender Julia Belli. Belli started every game while McPherson earned a starting spot during the season and kept it.
Graduate midfielder Gabby Mueller was the Spartans' recipient of the Sportsmanship Award given to one player from every team.
MSU opens its Big Ten tournament campaign in Minneapolis, MN against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m.
READ MORE
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
