CLEVELAND, Miss. – The year 2025 marks a historic milestone, as Delta State University celebrates 100 years of excellence in education, athletics, and community impact. As part of the university's centennial celebration, we proudly spotlight the legacy of the Delta State men's and women's soccer programs and reflect on their journey through the years.

A Look Back: Women's Soccer
Established in 2004, the women's soccer program was originally led by Head Coach Jim Allen, who guided both the men's and women's teams until 2010. Allen remains the winningest coach in the women's program with 30 career victories.

Following Allen's tenure, Paul Babba took over the women's program from 2011-2015. The next two coaches, Luke Sheeky (2016-19) and Mark Hiller (2020-2022) amassed 25 and 26 career wins, respectively. Allen's 2008 team and Hiller's 2022 team each put up 10-win seasons, the most in program history.

Now entering her second year at the helm, Head Coach Chloe Kane continues to build on the foundation laid by her predecessors. 

Several Lady Statesmen left their marks on the program. The program's lone All-Gulf South Conference First Team selection was Bridget Duke in 2007. Second team honorees are Duke (2006), Melissa Webber and Ashley Cechovsky in 2008, Payten Pearson (2012), Lauren May and Tabitha Holden in 2013, Rainey Niles, Nicola Hauk, and Jennifer Lopez in 2021, Niles in 2022, and Ava Webster in 2024

Several names are atop statistical categories, cementing their names in Delta State's women's record book:

• Catherine Sanford (2006-07): career goals (19)

• Bailey Daugherty (2021-24): career goalkeeper shutouts (15)

• Tabitha Hayden (2013-2016): career assists (12) 

• Ashley Cechovsky (2008): season goals (11)

The complete record book can be found here.

A Look Back: Men's Soccer
The men's soccer program also began in 2004, with Jim Allen leading both teams in its early years. In 2013 Nick Glaser coached the Statesmen before Andy Robertson, the longest-tenured coach in program history, took over in 2014. Serving as the head coach from 2014-22, Robertson accumulated 38 wins. In 2023, former Statesman Austin Jackman returned to lead his former team. As a first-year head coach, Jackman led the Green-and-White to an eight-win season and the team's first Gulf South Conference Tournament appearance in over a decade. 

The DSU men's soccer team has many individuals who have left their mark during their time at Delta State. 

• David Hortsmann (2006-2009): career goals (32)

• Daniel Deblaere (2011-2014): career assists (14)

• Mason Baglio (2022-present): career goalkeeper shutouts (8)

• Arturo Riestra (2023): season assists (11)

• Evan Griffin (2005): season saves (127) 

The complete record book can be found here.

The 2012 men's soccer squad secured several GSC awards, including Freshman and Player of the Year Caue Da Silva and Coach of the Year Matt Watts. All-GSC First Team selections included Da Silva and Steven Simmons, while Daniel Deblaere, Sebastian Ridout, and Amine Rahmani secured second team recognition.