WOMEN’S SOCCER HOSTS IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT FOR FIRST TIME
The 2024 Missouri Valley College women’s soccer team put together one of its best seasons in program history. A 3-1 win over Graceland (Iowa) to close out the regular season secured an undefeated Heart of America Athletic Conference regular season championship, finishing 10-0-1 in conference games. This was the first regular season title for the program since 1993, and the second championship in program-history. Postseason history was also made, as the women’s soccer team secured a home match in the 2024 NAIA Womens’ Soccer National Championship, the first National tournament home contest in program-history. The No. 14 seeded Vikings used a late game-winner from Senior Ashley Arribas to secure a 3-2 victory over Truett-McConnell (Ga.), and advance to the tournament’s National site for the first time since 1991. The team fell in overtime to No. 3 seed Keiser (Fla.), 3-2, and finished with a 15-6-1 overall record. Several members of the team earned accolades from the Heart. Junior Defender Marta Carrasco Mesa was named the Heart Player of the Year, and the Heart Defensive Player of the Year. Arribas earned the Heart Offensive Player of the Year award for the second time in her career, and Arribas finished as the first player in program-history to reach 100 career points. Also, Freshman Defender Lucia Torres Vizcaino was the Heart Freshman of the Year, and Head Coach Drew Hawkins was named the Heart Coach of the Year for the first time in his career. Nationally, Marta Carrasco Mesa as a second team NAIA All-American selection.
MEN’S SOCCER SUCCESS CONTINUES UNDER SIMIC
The 2024 Missouri Valley College men’s soccer team put together another record- breaking season. Career milestones were met early in a 3-0 win over Harris-Stowe (Mo.). Head Coach Vladimir Simic earned the 300th win of his career, and Senior Forward Sam Green scored one goal in the victory to become the third player in program-history to reach 100 career points. The winning continued for the team, eventually securing an undefeated regular season Heart of America Athletic Conference title with a 9-0-2 record. This was the third-straight regular season title for the program. Success during the regular season led to a No. 4 seed in the 2024 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship, and the opportunity to host a National tournament game and a first-round bye. The Vikings defeated Louisiana Christian in a second round contest, 2-0. The season came to an end in the third round of the National tournament, falling to MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), 2-1, as a last-second shot hit off the post. The team earned a number of postseason honors. Sam Green was named the Heart Player of the Year, Senior Defender Kazuki Hashimoto was named the Heart Defensive Player of the Year, while a total of seven Vikings were recognized on the Heart All- Conference Team. Additionally, Head Coach Vladimir Simic was named the Heart Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career. A record six members of the team were named NAIA All-Americans, led by the program’s first-ever four-time selection in Kazuki Hashimoto. Sam Green became the program’s first-ever three-time first team selection, as Green ended his career as the all-time points leader, with 130 points.
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