Area soccer players end careers with impressive totals

Schools in the Topeka-Kansas City area have a stranglehold on state girls soccer championships, but the Wichita area has seen some stellar talent – including a state record holder – in the past two seasons.

We won’t soon forget the one-two punch of twins Kortney and Kelsey Clifton of Andover. Kelsey was an assists machine, and Kortney holds the state record for goals in a career (256) and in a season (80 in 2008).

However, 2009 featured a good crop of soccer players, too. Goddard’s Whitney Berry compiled 54 goals and 10 assists her senior year. She finished her career with 167 goals. She will join the Cliftons on the field at the University of Kansas.

Whitney was named the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League’s Division I offensive MVP. Ashlyn Castillo of Maize was crowned defensive MVP. Ashlyn and her Maize teammates dominated area girls soccer the past two years.

Two other Maize seniors, Tia Stovall and Leah Talley, were nearly tied in leading the Eagle offense. Tia had 33 goals and 15 assists this season, while Leah was close behind with 31 goals and 13 assists.

Seniors Lorielle Slates of Campus (Division II) and Kristy Herman of Rose Hill (Division III-IV) were their division MVPs in the AVCTL. Kristy, who also shined for Rose Hill on the basketball court, contributed 20 goals and 16 assists this spring.

Finally, Cindy Benitez completed her reign at Garden City as Western Athletic Conference player of the year during all four years of her high school career. Cindy led the Buffs with 40 goals this season, and she tied Whitney Berry with a career total of 167. Cindy will play for Butler Community College.