DALLAS– Earlier today, Conference USA released the selected nominees for the 2025 Preseason soccer awards. After an incredible showing on defense last year, Jena Johannes was selected by the coaches within the conference to the All-Conference team.
 
The Kihei, Hawaii native started in 18 of the 19 matches that she competed in for NM State. Last year, she won two separate CUSA Defensive Player of the Week awards for her stellar outings against Gonzaga on Sept. 12 and Middle Tennessee on September 29. Though Johannes only took four shots on goals, she carried the Aggies squad on the opposite side of the ball, heavily preventing her opponents from scoring.
 
After contributing to the team's third place conference finish last year and the first game CUSA tournament victory over Jax State, she also earned a Third team All-conference honor. As the team prepares to face GCU in a non-conference exhibition match, the senior looks to continue her phenomenal defense to help lead the Aggies to yet another competitive season for Coach Baarts.
 
Other Conference Awards include:
 
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Ivy Garner, Liberty
 
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Lauren Littleton, Liberty
 
Preseason All-Conference Team
GK: Valery Restrepo, FIU
D: Sallie Garner, Liberty
D: Lauren Littleton, Liberty
D: Jena Johannes, NM State
D: Ashlyn Neireiter, UTEP
MF: Elise Graf, Liberty
MF: Gabby Miranda, Liberty
MF: Jasmine Marquez, Sam Houston
F: Halle Engle, Liberty
F: Ivy Garner, Liberty
F: Avery Paulson, Liberty
 
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