Photo by: Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics
Becerra, Calzada and Wilkinson Claim Team MVP Accolades
Feb 28, 2024 | Soccer
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Sydney Becerra, Carolyn Calzada and Jazmine Wilkinson earned most valuable player distinctions at Wednesday evening's Texas A&M Soccer 2023 Awards Dinner.
Becerra garnered Midfield MVP acclaim while Calzada was recognized as the Defensive MVP. Wilkinson was tabbed the Offensive MVP and also took home the plaque as the team's leading goal scorer.
Calzada filled her trophy case as a sophomore. She picked up United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team and All-SEC First Team in 2023. She anchored the backline starting 19 games for a Texas A&M squad which registered 10 shutouts and a 1.08 goals-against average. The Aggies sported a 0.88 goals-against average with Calzada in the lineup and a 2.33 mark in the three games she missed due to injury.
Becerra ranked second on the team with 15 points and five goals and added five assists in her sophomore campaign. She tallied six points in SEC play with two goals and two assists. Becerra wowed all in attendance with her banger of a game-winning goal in the Aggies' SEC Tournament upset of South Carolina. She added an assist in the semifinal match against Georgia to earn SEC All-Tournament recognition.
In her first season with the Maroon & White, Wilkinson paced the Aggies with 23 points on her team-high 10 goals along with three assists. She scored four of her goals in league play and picked up SEC Offensive Player of the Week recognition after a notching a hat trick at Tennessee.
The Matula sisters earned accolades as Margo was named Newcomer of the Year and Macy was christened Most Improved Player. Macy led the team with 1,814 minutes of action, all as a left outside back. She appeared in 21 contests, all starts, playing the entire match on 15 occasions. She scored one goal on the season. Margo ranked second on the team with 1,810 minutes She played in all 22 matches with 20 starts, seeing most of her action as a center back. Margo didn't leave the pitch in the Aggies' last 13 matches, logging 1,170 consecutive minutes.
Taylor Pounds was celebrated for her performance in the classroom as she earned the Lafield Academic Excellence Award. She earned College Sports Communicators All-District for the third time. Pounds owns a 3.921 GPA as accounting major. Pounds ranked third on the team in minutes played with her 1,809 ranking first among non-defenders. The holding midfielder played in all 22 matches, including 21 starts and registered one goal. She has 21 points on nine goals and three assists in 70 career matches.
Taylor Jernigan claimed the 12th Man Award. She came off the bench to play in 12 matches. She ranked third on the team with four goals on the season. Her marquee goal was an ice breaker against Georgia in the SEC Tournament semifinal.
Mia Pante garnered the 'Farmers Fight' Perseverance Award celebrating her strength and tenacity in fighting through adversity to perform at the highest level. She appeared in all 22 matches, including 21 starts in the midfield. The North Vancouver, British Columbia, native ended the year with 10 points on three goals and four assists. Pante was named All-SEC Second Team for the second consecutive season. She led the team in shots (52) and shots-on-goal (21). Her career numbers include 33 points on seven goals and 19 assists.
Sammy Smith was honored as the team's leader in assists. She was stellar in her lone season in Aggieland, playing in all 22 matches with eight starts. She ranked third on the team with 13 points adding three goals to her team-high seven assists. Smith logged one goal and three assists in SEC play, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win against Mississippi State.
Eloise Descheneaux earned the Spirit of Aggieland Award, for her positive attitude as a teammate, leader and Aggie. She appeared in two matches on the season, recording her first career assist against Texas Southern.
Bella James was recognized for her commitment in the area of strength, conditioning and sports performance with the Iron Aggie. She crushed her performances in workouts on Ellis Field and at the West Campus Player Development Center as she recovered from an injury suffered in the preseason.
The Maroon & White wrapped up the 30th winning season in 31 years of the program. The Aggies posted a 10-8-4, playing their 28th NCAA Tournament in the last 29 years and advancing to the second round for the 24th time in the last 26 years – a mark only eclipsed by North Carolina.
TEAM AWARDS
Offensive MVP: Jazmine Wilkinson
Midfield MVP: Sydney Becerra
Defensive MVP: Carolyn Calzada
Newcomer of the Year: Margo Matula
Most Improved Player: Macy Matula
12th Man Award: Taylor Jernigan
"Farmers Fight" Perseverance Award: Mia Pante
Spirit of Aggieland Award: Eloise Descheneaux
Iron Aggie: Bella James
Leading Scorer: Jazmine Wilkinson
Leading Assists: Sammy Smith
Lafield Academic Excellence Award: Taylor Pounds
Becerra garnered Midfield MVP acclaim while Calzada was recognized as the Defensive MVP. Wilkinson was tabbed the Offensive MVP and also took home the plaque as the team's leading goal scorer.
Calzada filled her trophy case as a sophomore. She picked up United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team and All-SEC First Team in 2023. She anchored the backline starting 19 games for a Texas A&M squad which registered 10 shutouts and a 1.08 goals-against average. The Aggies sported a 0.88 goals-against average with Calzada in the lineup and a 2.33 mark in the three games she missed due to injury.
Becerra ranked second on the team with 15 points and five goals and added five assists in her sophomore campaign. She tallied six points in SEC play with two goals and two assists. Becerra wowed all in attendance with her banger of a game-winning goal in the Aggies' SEC Tournament upset of South Carolina. She added an assist in the semifinal match against Georgia to earn SEC All-Tournament recognition.
In her first season with the Maroon & White, Wilkinson paced the Aggies with 23 points on her team-high 10 goals along with three assists. She scored four of her goals in league play and picked up SEC Offensive Player of the Week recognition after a notching a hat trick at Tennessee.
The Matula sisters earned accolades as Margo was named Newcomer of the Year and Macy was christened Most Improved Player. Macy led the team with 1,814 minutes of action, all as a left outside back. She appeared in 21 contests, all starts, playing the entire match on 15 occasions. She scored one goal on the season. Margo ranked second on the team with 1,810 minutes She played in all 22 matches with 20 starts, seeing most of her action as a center back. Margo didn't leave the pitch in the Aggies' last 13 matches, logging 1,170 consecutive minutes.
Taylor Pounds was celebrated for her performance in the classroom as she earned the Lafield Academic Excellence Award. She earned College Sports Communicators All-District for the third time. Pounds owns a 3.921 GPA as accounting major. Pounds ranked third on the team in minutes played with her 1,809 ranking first among non-defenders. The holding midfielder played in all 22 matches, including 21 starts and registered one goal. She has 21 points on nine goals and three assists in 70 career matches.
Taylor Jernigan claimed the 12th Man Award. She came off the bench to play in 12 matches. She ranked third on the team with four goals on the season. Her marquee goal was an ice breaker against Georgia in the SEC Tournament semifinal.
Mia Pante garnered the 'Farmers Fight' Perseverance Award celebrating her strength and tenacity in fighting through adversity to perform at the highest level. She appeared in all 22 matches, including 21 starts in the midfield. The North Vancouver, British Columbia, native ended the year with 10 points on three goals and four assists. Pante was named All-SEC Second Team for the second consecutive season. She led the team in shots (52) and shots-on-goal (21). Her career numbers include 33 points on seven goals and 19 assists.
Sammy Smith was honored as the team's leader in assists. She was stellar in her lone season in Aggieland, playing in all 22 matches with eight starts. She ranked third on the team with 13 points adding three goals to her team-high seven assists. Smith logged one goal and three assists in SEC play, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win against Mississippi State.
Eloise Descheneaux earned the Spirit of Aggieland Award, for her positive attitude as a teammate, leader and Aggie. She appeared in two matches on the season, recording her first career assist against Texas Southern.
Bella James was recognized for her commitment in the area of strength, conditioning and sports performance with the Iron Aggie. She crushed her performances in workouts on Ellis Field and at the West Campus Player Development Center as she recovered from an injury suffered in the preseason.
The Maroon & White wrapped up the 30th winning season in 31 years of the program. The Aggies posted a 10-8-4, playing their 28th NCAA Tournament in the last 29 years and advancing to the second round for the 24th time in the last 26 years – a mark only eclipsed by North Carolina.
TEAM AWARDS
Offensive MVP: Jazmine Wilkinson
Midfield MVP: Sydney Becerra
Defensive MVP: Carolyn Calzada
Newcomer of the Year: Margo Matula
Most Improved Player: Macy Matula
12th Man Award: Taylor Jernigan
"Farmers Fight" Perseverance Award: Mia Pante
Spirit of Aggieland Award: Eloise Descheneaux
Iron Aggie: Bella James
Leading Scorer: Jazmine Wilkinson
Leading Assists: Sammy Smith
Lafield Academic Excellence Award: Taylor Pounds
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