Nakano Earns All-Sun Belt Honors

NEW ORLEANS, La.-Senior midfielder Adaira Nakano earned a selection to the All-Sun Belt Second Team, as announced by the Sun Belt Conference Sunday morning.

Nakano's accolade marks her first career conference honor and gives Southern Miss its first All-Conference recognition since 2022 and the second since joining the Sun Belt.

The Ontario, Canada native capped her fourth season in the Black & Gold as team captain, leading the Golden Eagles with 14 points and guiding the team through a six-game unbeaten streak in conference play.

Nakano tallied four goals and three assists against Sun Belt opponents, becoming the first Golden Eagle to tally ten or more points in consecutive seasons since Ariel Diaz did so from 2019-2021.

Nakano started all 14 matches this season, extending her consecutive starts to 33 straight games, the longest active streak on the team.

Picking up right where she left off after her team-leading 18-point season in 2023, Nakano opened the 2024 campaign with a goal and an assist in the Golden Eagles' season opener against Mississippi Valley State.

Nakano kicked off conference play with a goal against James Madison in September, setting the stage for an impressive run in October where she tallied nine points.
Nakano found the back of the net in consecutive games, starting with a goal in a 2-2 draw at Arkansas State, and then returning home to score a season-high two goals for her second career brace in a 2-0 senior day shutout versus Troy.

Nakano played a pivotal role in generating scoring opportunities for the Golden Eagles, leading the team with four assists. She notched a career-high two assists in a 3-3 comeback draw versus Marshall.

Nakano concludes her illustrious career with the Golden Eagles, finishing with 34 points from 12 goals and 10 assists over 64 games played, including 52 starts.

2024 Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer Awards

Player of the Year: Ginny Lackey, James Madison (Fr., F, Manchester, England)

Offensive Player of the Year: Irene Campo, South Alabama (So., M, Santander, Spain)

Defensive Player of the Year: Ashlynn, Kulha, Old Dominion (So., D, Holly Springs, N.C.)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Emily Bredek, Old Dominion (Sr., GK, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Newcomer of the Year: Kaylie Smith, Texas State (So., M, Corpus Christi, Texas)

Freshman of the Year: Ginny Lackey, James Madison (Fr., F, Manchester, England)

Coach of the Year: Joshua Walters, Sr., James Madison (7th Season)

All-Sun Belt Conference First Team
F – Aaliyah Faddoul, Georgia State (So., Ontario, Canada)
F – Ginny Lackey, James Madison (Fr., Manchester, England)
F – Mady Soumare, Texas State (Jr., Paris, France)
F – Izzi Wood, App State (Gr., Hickory, N.C.)
M – Irene Campo, South Alabama (So., Santander, Spain)
M – Mara Grutkamp, ULM (Sr., Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany)
M – Lexi Vanderlinden, James Madison (R-Sr., Seminole, Fla.)
D – Ashlynn Kulha, Old Dominion (So., Holly Springs, N.C.)
D – Kate Nicolson, South Alabama (Sr., Stirling, Scotland)
D – Jordan Yang, James Madison (Jr., Clifton, Va.)
GK – Emily Bredek, Old Dominion (Sr., Huntington Beach, Calif.)

All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team
F – Eleanor Ashton, Coastal Carolina (Fr., Manchester, England)
F – Amanda Attanasi, James Madison (Sr., Washington Township, N.J.)
F – Rhea Kijowski, Old Dominion (Sr., Waynesburg, Pa.)
M – Andrea Balcazar Algarin, Old Dominion (Jr., Mexico City, Mexico)
M – Smith Cathey, Georgia Southern (Sr., Madison, Ga.)
M – Ellie Garrison, App State (Fr., Trinity, N.C.)
M – Adaira Nakano, Southern Miss (Sr., Ontario, Canada)
D – Kennley Bradley, Texas State (Sr., Ogden, Utah)
D – Claire Casey, Georgia Southern (Fr., Williamston, Mich.)
D – Jamie Swartz, James Madison (Jr., Palmyra, Pa.)
GK – Katelyn Chrisman, Texas State (Sr., Belton, Texas)

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Nakano Earns All-Sun Belt Honors

Players Mentioned

Adaira Nakano

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