SAN DIEGO – The Mountain West announced its 2024 women’s soccer all-conference teams and individual award winners on Monday afternoon, as voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Boise State senior forward Carly Cross was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, while Utah State senior defender Kaitlyn Richins was tabbed as the MW Defensive Player of the Year and teammate Cora Brendle was selected as the MW Newcomer of the Year. Utah State head coach Manny Martins was voted as the MW Coach of the Year.

Cross is the third Bronco and first since 2018 to be named MW Offensive Player of the Year. The forward tied for the most goals in league play after recording six, including three game-winning goals. With six goals and two assists in MW action, Cross tallied 14 points.

For the ninth year in a row a defender has claimed MW Defensive Player of the Year honors as Richins becomes the second Aggie in program history to earn the honor and second in a row. Richins anchored the Aggies’ backline that registered seven shutouts and allowed just six goals in league play.

In her first season with Utah State, Brendle becomes the first Aggie to earn MW Newcomer of the Year honors. The transfer posted seven shutouts, recorded 24 saves and allowed just six goals in over 990 minutes of action in goal.

Martins earned his and USU’s second MW Coach of the Year accolade in as many seasons. Martins led the Aggies to a 7-1-3 Conference record and earned the No. 2 seed in the MW championship. In his fourth season at USU, the Aggies spent eight weeks in the United Soccer Coaches poll, climbing as high as No. 7 under Martins guidance.

In the 2024 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Women’s Soccer Championship semifinal matches, No. 2 Utah State plays No. 3 Colorado State on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. PT, followed by top seeded Boise State versus No. 4 San Diego State at 7 p.m. PT. Both matches will be on the Mountain West Network.

The winners of the semifinal matches will vie for the Conference championship title on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. PT. The winner will be crowned the 2024 MW women’s soccer champion and punch their ticket to the NCAA women’s soccer tournament.

 

For more information on the championship, visit the 2024 MW Women’s Soccer Championship Central page.