By: Ahmad Smith
One could be amazed by the hidden gems uncovered when exploring the rich Black sports history of Mississippi. Mississippi Valley State University’s women’s soccer program is one such example.
For this week’s Black History feature on HBCU soccer in Mississippi, we turn our attention to the work done by MVSU Athletics and the Delta Devil Nation.
Let’s begin with a few success stories. MVSU Women’s Soccer has been SWAC Champions at least three times in the last 22 years and finalists four times.
Since official records began in 2003, the Lady Devils claimed SWAC titles in 2005, 2008, and 2012, and were finalists in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011. In other words, they came within one game of the championship three years in a row—twice. That’s an impressive legacy.
The program has produced several notable names, including current San Jose State head coach Sonia Curvelo, who led the team from 2010 to 2012.
Another standout was Laadi Isaka, the NCAA Division I statistical champion for Points Per Game and Goals Per Game during the 2016–17 season. The year before, she led the nation in Assists Per Game.
Most recently, 2023 standout midfielder Alexandra Shimasaki signed to play semi-professional soccer with Lexington Sporting Club in Kentucky.
But, does the success story of MVSU Women’s Soccer have to end here? Sadly, it may. Months ago, the athletic department announced that the program would be discontinued due to health and safety concerns, effective October 2025.
Although many questions remain unanswered, there’s no doubt this program has earned its flowers for all it contributed to HBCU athletics and women’s sports history.
