BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Prior to the 2021 season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), has announced their preseason honors with Alabama A&M women's soccer earning three selections including senior Jodi Medina (Coral Springs, Fla.) being named Goalkeeper of the Year as announced by the league on Wednesday, August 11.
 
Additionally, she was named First Team All-SWAC alongside junior forward Makayla Rushing (Red Oak, Texas) along with junior forward Jameela Barrett (London, England) on the Second-Team.
 
Since establishing the award in 2015 this marks the first time in program history that Alabama A&M has earned a Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year honor.
 
JODI MEDINA – FIRST-TEAM/GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Following a year in which she earned second team honors, Medina is expected to surpass that accomplishment based upon her preseason recognitions.
 
In Spring 2021 she recorded a goals against average of 0.86, save percentage of .851, 40 saves and four shutouts in 730:07 minutes.
 
In eight games she produced a league-high four shutouts and led the (SWAC) in save percentage and was second in GAA. The latter came in eight games while the league-leader played five games by comparison.
 
Three of those four shutouts would come when she could not afford to make a mistake – in three consecutive 1-0 victories from March 19-28. That was part of a stretch where she and her defense did not allow a score for 377 minutes. On top of that her four shutouts were twice that of any other player during the Spring 2021 season. Medina was also twice named SWAC Goalkeeper of the Week, earning those honors on March 13 and March 31.
 
MAKAYLA RUSHING – FIRST-TEAM
Rushing was dominant during the Spring season as she started all eight games and played 698 minutes. That included an impressive seven games in which she did not leave the field.
 
She was an ever-present force in the midfield, scoring a pair of goals, including the lone score in the Bulldogs' 1-0 victory over Alcorn State (3/19). That was part of a stretch of three consecutive 1-0 shutouts that she played a role in and a larger run of 377 minutes of scoreless play. Those efforts earned her First-Team honors following the unique Spring 2021 season.
 
JAMEELA BARRETT – SECOND-TEAM
Barrett was instrumental for the Bulldogs offense, scoring three goals and picking up an assist while starting in all seven games played.
 
Among those she scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory at Prairie View (3/28) as well as markers against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3/7) and at Alabama State (4/2).
 
Her Spring 2021 campaign netted her SWAC Player of the Week on March 13. Barrett's extensive contributions earned her Second-Team honors following the distinctive season.
 
2021 All-Southwestern Athletic Conference Preseason Teams
First-Team
F Kailey Pena, Grambling
F Annalise Brunson, Jackson State
F Iyannah Hicks, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
M Makayla Rushing, Alabama A&M
M Haylee O'Leary, Grambling
M Jovanna Bernal, Prairie View A&M
M Kaydeen Jack, Grambling
D Andrea Nugent, Prairie View A&M
D D'Sanye Nugent, Prairie View A&M
D Kamaron Powell, Grambling
G Jodi Medina, Alabama A&M
 
Second-Team
F McKenna Wiscombe, Alabama State
F Jameela Barrett, Alabama A&M
F Ashley Chala, Prairie View A&M
M Brynn Walker, Jackson State
M Paula Burillo-Blasco, Grambling
M Lauren Hermosa, Prairie View A&M
M Cameron Rodriguez, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
D Mackenzie Rastatter, Grambling
D Lindsay Jaiyesimi, Grambling
D Evangelia Sandoval-Belmudez, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
G Oriana Palacios, Texas Southern
 
Offensive Player of the Year
Kailey Pena, Grambling
 
Defensive Player of the Year
Andrea Nugent, Prairie View A&M
 
Goalkeeper of the Year
Jodi Medina, Alabama A&M