Dawgs Add Three to 2023 Signing Class

STARKVILLE – Three new faces will be joining the Mississippi State soccer program this spring. The trio arriving in Starkville will feature a two-time Offensive Player of the Year honoree, professional experience with a national team and a two-time County Player of the Year recipient.

The three transfers will be coming from two different states, in addition to Mississippi, and their hometowns represent three different countries.

"The staff has worked incredibly hard in this window to add three incredibly exciting players to our spring roster," head coach James Armstrong said. "All of them have outstanding character and made it clear their intentions to want to improve themselves at State. We can't wait for these three to join our five [freshmen] early enrollees this spring. It gives us a great opportunity to really get a good idea of what the fall could potentially look like."

Ilana Izquierdo | Southern Miss

Originally from Cali, Colombia, Izquierdo has experience training and competing with both the U20 and full Colombian women's national team. The sophomore midfielder has recently been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, and she also earned All-Sun Belt Second Team recognition. As a sophomore, Izquierdo finished tied for the team-lead in goals. She led the team in shots (16), nine of which being on frame. As a freshman at Southern Miss, Izquierdo made the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region team. Her standout, rookie campaign earned her C-USA First Team All-Conference honors as well as C-USA All-Freshman team honors. The Colombian was named C-USA's Freshman of the Year and was also a member of the C-USA All-Tournament team.

Armstrong's Analysis

"Ilana brings experience, energy and awareness. Her experience representing Colombia at the U20 World Cup and full national team training camp will be invaluable for our locker room."

Aitana Martinez-Montoya | Fairleigh Dickinson

A two-time Northeastern Conference Player of the Year (2021-22), the Madrid, Spain, native also arrives in Starkville with a Rookie of the Year credited to her name. The sophomore forward most recently made the NEC All-Tournament team. In her sophomore season, Martinez-Montoya finished as the team leader in goals (13), points (28), shots (64), shots on goal (35). She also amassed 1,572 minutes of playing time, starting in all 20 matches. Following her first collegiate season as a student-athlete, Martinez-Montoya picked up four awards as a freshman: NEC Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-NEC, NEC Rookie of the Year and NEC All-Tournament Team.

Armstrong's Analysis

"Aitana has scored goals since she arrived from Madrid. A repeat winner of Player of the Year in her two years in the Northeast Conference is remarkable. A bubbly character who just lives and breathes the game."

Sutton Webb | Georgia

Prior to her time at Georgia, Webb played for the Charlotte Independence USL W League club and scored the team's first-ever goal. The Salisbury, N.C., native was twice named to the North Carolina All-State team, and was named to both the All-Region and All-Conference teams three times. Webb picked up two Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards and was also named Rowan County Player of the Year two different times. As a freshman at Georgia, Webb did not appear in any matches.

Armstrong's Analysis

"Sutton was someone who we recruited in her initial process so we know her very well. She is quick and incredibly fit which is something that is incredibly important to us as we look at building a new backline for the fall."

Keeping Up With MSU Soccer

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Dawgs Add Three to 2023 Signing Class

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