BOONE, N.C. – One of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history,
Izzi Wood will return to the App State Soccer team in the fall for her sixth and final season of eligibility, head coach
Aimee Haywood announced Monday.
"Izzi has truly elevated our program and herself over the last five seasons, and we could not be more excited for one final round," Haywood said. "She is passionate, gritty, humble and continues to invest in her teammates and her personal growth day after day. I'm so excited to see what we accomplish together this season!"
A first-team All-Sun Belt selection last season, Wood joins Jane Cline (2013-2016) as the only players in program history to earn multiple postseason All-Sun Belt honors, following a second-team selection in 2023. Wood has also been named to an All-Southeast Regional team each of the past two seasons.
"I'm fired up to announce that I'm returning for my final year," Wood said. "App State is home, and it has shaped me into the person and athlete I am today. The energy here is unmatched, and the love and support from my teammates, coaches and fans make this decision easy. I'm ready to give everything I've got for one last ride. We're chasing big goals this season—last one, best one!"
The Hickory, N.C. native is knocking at the door of several App State program records. Wood enters 2025 as the third-leading goal-scorer in program history with 26 goals, needing to find the net just five more times to surpass the current school record of 30. Wood's 223 shots are also third-most in Mountaineer history, and just 17 shy of most all-time. She also stands tied for fifth with 58 points, 14 away from sole possession of the career record.
After overcoming a torn ACL, which forced her to miss the 2021 season, Wood has blossomed into one of the Sun Belt's best players. She has totaled 24 goals across her last three seasons, highlighted by a career-high 11 tallies in 2024, which tied her for the most goals in a single season in program history. Wood finished the campaign third in the Sun Belt in goals and points and second in game-winning goals with four. She led the conference and ranked 17th nationally with 4.21 shots per game.
Wood completed her undergraduate degree in management in May 2023 and will graduate from App State a second time in May 2025 with her MBA.
