Northwestern State, LSU take home Louisiana’s top soccer honors

HAMMOND, La. – Northwestern State and LSU split the top individual honors and combined to claim seven first team spots on the 2022 Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Collegiate Soccer Team, which was released Friday by the LSWA.

NSU graduate midfielder Gracie Armstrong was named the state’s Player and Newcomer of the Year. LSU midfielder Ida Hermannsdottir was named the Louisiana Freshman of the Year, while Tiger third-year head coach Sian Hudson was tabbed the LSWA Coach of the Year.

Armstrong took home two of the top individual honors after earning the same honors from the Southland Conference last fall. The Broomfield, Colorado native finished the 2022 season with nine goals and a SLC-high eight assists – good for 25th nationally. Armstrong was particularly strong in the postseason, netting four goals in the league tournament on the way to earning Southland All-Tournament Team.

Hermannsdottir was a key member of the LSU squad, leading the Tigers with seven goals. The Reykjavik, Iceland product was named to the All-Freshman Team by the SEC and Top Drawer Soccer after a dynamic collegiate debut.

Hermannsdottir was a primary contributor to a successful season for LSU under Hudson’s direction. The Tigers finished 10-4-7 overall and earned their first postseason win of Hudson’s tenure, defeating Southland Conference champion Lamar in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Armstrong was one of a state-high four Lady Demons on the All-Louisiana first team. She was joined by NSU senior forward Olivia Draguicevich (13 goals, SLC Forward of the Year), graduate defender Natalee Henry (three goals, six assists, first team All-SLC) and senior goalkeeper Chloe DeShazer (0.73 GAA, 8 shutouts, second team All-SLC).

Hermannsdottir was one of three Lady Tigers on the first team. Also representing LSU were a pair of seniors in defender Lindsi Jennings (first team All-SEC) and midfielder Wasila Diwura-Soale (four goals, second team All-SEC).

Rounding out the first team was Southeastern senior midfielder Mya Guillory (SLC Student-Athlete of the Year, first team All-SLC, six goals, five assists), Louisiana Tech freshman forward Flavie Dube (Conference USA Freshman of the Year, five goals, four assists), Louisiana Christian sophomore forward Emma Monnet (first team All-Red River Athletic Conference, 10 goals) and ULM sophomore forward Inge Konst (eight goals, three assists).

A total of 11 honorable mention choices were added to the team, as nine different state institutions were represented among the 22 honorees. The All-Louisiana team was selected by the state’s media relations directors.

2022 All-Louisiana Women’s Soccer Team

Player of the Year: Gracie Armstrong, Northwestern State
Newcomer of the Year: Gracie Armstrong, Northwestern State
Freshman of the Year: Ida Hermannsdottir, LSU
Coach of the Year: Sian Hudson, LSU

First Team
Name | School | Pos. | Cl. | Hometown
Gracie Armstrong | Northwestern State | MF | Gr. | Broomfield, Colo.
Ida Hermannsdottir | LSU | MF | Fr. | Reykjavik, Iceland
Mya Guillory | Southeastern | MF | Sr. | Prairieville, La.
Flavie Dube | Louisiana Tech | F | Fr. | Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Lindsi Jennings | LSU | D | Sr. | Conroe, Texas
Emma Monnet | Louisiana Christian | F | So. | Yzeure, France
Wasila Diwura-Soale | LSU | MF | Sr. | Accra, Ghana
Inge Konst | ULM | F | So. | Balk, Netherlands
Olivia Draguicevich | Northwestern State | F | Sr. | Pflugerville, Texas
Natalee Henry | Northwestern State | D | Gr. | Tomball, Texas
Chloe DeShazer | Northwestern State | GK | Sr. | Kansas City, Mo.

Honorable Mention: Hallie Field, Northwestern State; Emma Jones, Louisiana Tech; Lena Goppel, ULM; Angelina Thoreson, LSU; Kalli Matlock, Louisiana Tech; Nicole Henry, Northwestern State; Mara Grutkamp, ULM; Gabby McDonald, Centenary; Rachel Young, McNeese; Karleen Bedre, Louisiana; Mollie Swift, LSU.