ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri Valley Conference announced the 2024 All-Conference team and awards. The Bulldogs were well-represented with three individual honors and multiple all-league performers.
 
Eskil Gjerde, a junior from Egersund, Norway, was named a Co-Midfielder of the Year. Gjerde scored two goals and dished out an assist for five total points in the 2024 season. He attempted 15 shots, eight of which were on goal, and started every match this season for the Bulldogs. Gjerde earned the Midfielder of the Year alongside Missouri State's Tyler Caton.
 
Freshman phenom Preston Kipnusu punctuated his stellar rookie season with the MVC Freshman of the Year award. He, like Gjerde in the midfield, is the first Bulldog to capture this award since its inception. Kipnusu was the only true freshman to land a spot on the all-conference list this season as a second team honoree. The Valley High School grad ranks second on the team in goal, shots, and points, and scored two game winners for the Dogs.
 
For the second time in three years, Drake's coaching staff, led by head coach Pat Flinn, was voted MVC Coaching Staff of the Year by their peers. The Bulldogs tripled their win total from last season, carrying a 9-4-3 record into the upcoming semifinal round of the MVC championship. Drake posted a 5-1-2 ledger in league play, matching its conference record from the 2022 campaign. 
 
The Bulldogs will start their MVC Tournament run tomorrow afternoon with a semifinal bout against Bowling Green. Drake and the Falcons will kick off a 3 p.m. in a neutral site match at Springfield, Mo.
 
 
2024 MVC Specialty Awards
Player of the Year: Jesus Barea, Missouri State
Forward of the Year: Jesus Barea, Missouri State
Co-Midfielders of the Year: Eskil Gjerde, Drake; Tyler Caton, Missouri State
Defensive Player of the Year: Kyle Cusimano, Bowling Green
Goalkeeper of the Year: Colin Welsh, Western Michigan
Freshman of the Year: Preston Kipnusu, Drake
Coaching Staff of the Year: Drake (Pat Flinn, Kyle Smith, Cole Poppen, James Wypych)
MVC Fair Play Award: Western Michigan
 
2024 MVC All-Conference Teams
First Team
Alberto Anaya, M, Bowling Green
Jesus Barea, F, Missouri State
Tyler Caton, M, Missouri State
Kyle Cusimano, D, Bowling Green
Jesus De Vicente, D, UIC
Eskil Gjerde, M, Drake
Carson Hodgson, M, Western Michigan
Alex Matthews, D, Missouri State
Bart Muns, F, UIC
Owen Smith, F, Western Michigan
Trace Terry, F, Bowling Green
Colin Welsh, GK, Western Michigan
 
Second Team
Ryder Barrett, D, Drake
Nacho Diaz Barragan, F, Evansville
Charlie Dickerson, D, Bradley
Jacopo Federizzi, M, Evansville
Brendan Graves, GK Bowling Green
Austin Holtebeck, D, Drake
James Jennings, F, Missouri State
Preston Kipnusu, F, Drake
Jackson Kirsch, M, Drake
Will Lowry, GK, Missouri State
Bennett Painter, F, Bowling Green
Fumiya Shiraishi, F, Missouri State
Dylan Steely, D, Belmont
 
Freshman Team
Alan Alonso, M, UIC
Tomas Butkovic, GK, Drake
Preston Kipnusu, F, Drake
Michal Mroz, GK, Evansville
Grant Paskus, M, Northern Illinois
Christian Shannon, D, Western Michigan
Victor Wachowicz, D, Evansville