Jebb-Geer, Conley, Thriffiley named NJCAA All-Americans

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast's history 2025 women's soccer team will match the number of NJCAA All-Americans from previous years combined.

Three Bulldogs were selected to this year's Division II squad, led by keeper Laurel Conley and defender Millie Jebb-Geer on the First Team. Midfielder Anna Katherine Thriffiley earned Third-Team honors.

The trio led the team to the most successful season in program history. The Bulldogs earned the school's first trip to the NJCAA Tournament and won the first match there in Gulf Coast history. They finished 13-4-1.

Gulf Coast tied with Johnson County and Heartland for the most All-Americans. The Bulldogs were one of three MACCC teams with multiple winners. Holmes and Jones had two each.

"That freshman class who came in last season showed they were committed to improving as players and had a tremendous acumen for the game," Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "They really wanted to take the team to the next level. Without brilliant individual players, it's hard to have a very good collective. This year's freshmen continued that with their hard work."

Millie Jebb-Geer, First Team

Jebb-Geer, a sophomore defender from Dronfield, England, was the leader of a Bulldogs defense that ranked second in the conference with a miserly 0.77 goals-against average. She also wreaked havoc on the offensive end with her powerful free-kick prowess, picking up six assists.

"We highly touted her as a freshman and had a really good season," Joiner said. "Her best ability is her availability. She fought through so many injuries as a center back, but she shows up every day. She's strong and talented, and she's a high-IQ player who gets herself out of trouble often."

Laurel Conley, First Team

Conley, a sophomore keeper from Ocean Springs, was third in the MACCC with a 0.97 goals-against average, and her .845 save percentage was third-best. Conley posted a 9-3-1 record with two shutouts, and she was part of two other clean sheets.

"She's got a chance to go down in history as one of the best goalkeepers in our conference," Joiner said. "She's getting lots of offers and opportunities to play at the next level. Day by day, she never misses a training session and played nearly every minute of every game for two years. She's a super-talented, athletic kid who's a prototype goalkeeper for the next level."

Anna Katherine Thriffiley, First Team

Thriffiley, a freshman midfielder from Biloxi, finished second on her team with 10 goals while adding six assists. A skilled playmaker, she had two-goal games against Pearl River and Southwest Mississippi.

"We knew AK was talented as a club player and high school player, but she turned on a different gear when she got here," Joiner said. "She's a really exciting technician who scored lots of goals and added important assists. She makes the team tick from the midfield."

Three Gulf Coast players had earned NJCAA All-American honors in the first 27 years of the program. Jessica Hotard (2001), Christina Anthony (2008) and Katie Brown (2021) were the past recipients.

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.