Four Mississippi State Soccer Players Named to SEC Preseason Watch List

Four Mississippi State soccer players have been named to the Southeastern Conference’s Preseason Watch List, the league announced Monday.

The Bulldogs are represented by returning player Laila Murillo and three newcomers — Hailey Johnson, Kyli Switalski, and Ashley Tutas.

Murillo, a Dallas native, scored three goals during her freshman season in 2025. She appeared in every match, starting the final five, and set career highs in minutes or shots in three of four postseason matches. She earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors in September after netting a brace against Texas.

Johnson transferred from Lipscomb, where she played for two seasons. The senior led her team with 10 goals, 22 points, and 47 shots last fall, earning First Team All-ASUN and Second Team All-Region honors. She has been named a team captain in her first season at Mississippi State.

Switalski spent her first three college seasons at Appalachian State, playing in 34 matches with 25 starts. Last season, she scored three goals and tallied seven points, ranking third on her team. She has accumulated 14 career points overall.

Tutas, a fifth-year player, transferred from Oklahoma and Florida. She scored her first career goal last season and has become a key part of the Bulldogs’ back line for 2026. Tutas joins a roster with significant experience heading into the season.

The Bulldogs will open their 2026 season on Wednesday, Aug. 12, hosting South Alabama at 6 p.m. Central Time. The match will be broadcast on SEC Network+. Fans can follow the team on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram by searching “HailStateSOC.”

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