Area soccer looks strong; some teams must regroup

Some local girls soccer teams managed to start their season before the snow and sleet descended on the area. This year should be interesting since some programs are expected to remain as strong as ever, while others must regroup after losing key players who were difference-makers in games.

First, the toughies: I expect Maize, Goddard and Wichita Trinity to be as formidable as ever. They have established a successful tradition and should provide the biggest challenges in this area.

The Maize Eagles entered last year’s state tournament after no one had scored on them all season. They were undefeated at the start of the Class 6A tournament, and although they placed second at state, they completed a magical season. Maize will miss goalkeeper Christina Farid and other graduated players such as Kayde Kluge and Hannah Kern, but the squad retains its top scorer from last season, Tia Stovall. She led Maize with 22 goals, and fellow returner Leah Talley was close behind with 19. Both girls had double-digit assists totals, too.

Maize’s west-side rival, Goddard, returns its top player, Whitney Berry. The senior has steadily increased her goals scored each season, from 25 to 39 to 48. After her final campaign at Goddard, she will play for KU.

Trinity had an impressive season last year, and judging by its first couple games, that trend should continue. The Knights overwhelmed Thomas More Prep 11-1 and then shut out Wichita Independent 10-0 last week. The team’s disadvantage is its school size. Trinity moved from Class 3A to 4A this year, but that won’t make much difference in soccer, which lumps Class 1A through 5A into one. As a result, Trinity dominates schools of comparable size, but the girls suffered a blowout loss to Class 5A Kapaun Mt. Carmel in quarterfinals last year.

Andover must go on after losing twins Kortney and Kelsey Clifton to graduation. Kortney set the state record for goals in a season and a career, while Kelsey provided numerous assists. Andover was the only public school that advanced to state in 5-1A last year. The Cliftons now play for KU.

Kapaun was a force in the City League last season and then placed second at state. However, the Crusaders lost valuable players like forward JoJo Palko and goalkeeper Michelle McElroy to graduation.

One more soccer player to watch: Garden City senior Cindy Benitez, who accumulated 49 goals last year. (That’s one more than Goddard’s Whitney Berry.) The team’s second-leading scorer was Maricella Ruvalcaba, who contributed 25 goals in just her freshman year. Garden City won the Western Athletic Conference and advanced to 6A quarterfinals, but Goddard stopped the Buffs’ stampede to state.