KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mississippi State Soccer Staff has been named the 2023 NCAA Southeast Staff of the Year (SOY) by United Soccer Coaches, recognizing their exceptional leadership and achievements during the 2023 season. Head Coach James Armstrong, Associate Head Coach Nick Zimmerman, Assistant Coach Brian Dunleavy, and Assistant Coach Kat Stratton have played pivotal roles in guiding the Bulldogs to unprecedented success.
The 2023 season witnessed historic milestones for the Bulldogs, marking a new era of excellence in Mississippi State women’s soccer. Among the standout achievements were the first-ever victory at Florida in program history, a remarkable back-to-back triumph over ranked opponents (2-0 at No. 18 Kentucky, 2-0 at No. 16 Alabama), and tying for the most single-season SEC wins (4) and securing the most points in SEC standings in program history (17).
The Bulldogs set new records with the longest SEC win streak (4) and the longest SEC unbeaten streak in program history (6). Additionally, the team advanced to the SEC Tournament Semifinals for the first time, securing back-to-back NCAA Tournament hosting opportunities as the highest seed in program history.
A historic run through the NCAA Tournament culminated in the program’s first-ever Sweet 16 appearance. The team showcased defensive prowess by conceding the fewest goals in program history (14), while the season also saw a record-breaking highest attendance of 10,122 fans.
The Mississippi State Women’s Soccer Staff’s recognition as the 2023 NCAA Southeast Staff of the Year is a well-deserved accolade, highlighting their impact on the team’s historic season and their commitment to excellence in women’s collegiate soccer.
All 52 coaching staffs, divided evenly between men’s and women’s teams, that have earned Region Staff of the Year honors through peer voting, will be acknowledged during the College Coaches Awards Ceremony at the United Soccer Coaches Convention on Thursday, January 11, 2024, in Anaheim, California.
The recipients of the Region Staff of the Year awards will be nominated for National Staff of the Year in their respective NCAA divisions. The voting for National Staff of the Year will commence on December 6, 2023.
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