TOPEKA, Kan. – Top returners: Emily Swickard, M, sr.; Alyssa Carlson, D, sr.; Jaley Barkley, F, jr.
Worth noting: Lions will compete in KSHSAA postseason for first time as program this season. … Barkley scored three goals as freshman in 2019 and Swickard had one. … Freshman Trinity Childs will be dynamic scorer and one of several young impact players for Lions.
Schedule
April — 6. at KC Christian; 8. Topeka High; 10. at Topeka West; 12. KC East; 15. Ottawa; 22. at NEK Saints. May — 3. at Baldwin; 6. Seabury; 10. Maranatha.
HAYDEN
Coach: Klaus Kreutzer.
2019 record: N/A.
Top returners: Abby Dodd, jr.; Elizabeth Dunshee, jr.; CC Hammes, jr.; Olivia Schmitz, sr.; Riley Schmidtlein, jr.; Kate Roeder, jr.; Rhen Calhoon, sr.
Worth noting: Despite missing last season, Wildcats return several players who helped team to Class 4-1A state quarterfinal appearance in 2019. … Wildcats will be young with just a handful of seniors. … Roeder was honorable mention All-Centennial League as freshman in 2019.
Schedule
April — 6. Tonganoxie; 14. at Highland Park; 16. Baldwin; 19. Junction City; 22. at St. James Academy; 27. at Topeka High; 30. Spring Hill. May — 3. KC Piper; 4. at Seaman; 7. at Manhattan; 11. Emporia.
HIGHLAND PARK
Coach: Colin Moriarty.
2019 record: N/A.
Top returners: Isabella Carter, sr.; Rubby Urista, sr.; Aisa Ozeki, sr.; Aisya Taylor, jr.; Isabella Wagner, jr.; Kimberly Pulido, jr.; Sandra Ramon, jr.; Lizbeth Del Real, jr.; Destiny Nunez, jr.
Worth noting: Scots will be young with just three seniors, but numbers are solid with 21 players out.
Schedule
April — 1. KC Wyandotte; 5. Topeka High; 6. at Washburn Rural; 9. Junction City; 13. at Ottawa; 14. Hayden; 21. Topeka West; 26. Seabury; 27. at Emporia. May — 4. at Junction City; 6. Manhattan; 11. Seaman; 13. at KC Harmon.
SEAMAN
Coach: Tim Nussbaum.
2019 record: N/A.
Top returners: Riley Cowan, sr.; Kaycee Tanner, sr.; Hailey Hershey, sr.; Carson Backer, sr.; Audri Budge, sr., Emma Meinholdt, sr.; Avary Polter, jr.
Worth noting: Nussbaum takes over as head coach after previously coaching Topeka High. … Cowan was honorable mention All-Centennial League as sophomore and has signed with Emporia State.
Schedule
April — 2. Lawrence; 6. Lansing; 13. at Washburn Rural; 14. St. James Academy; 19. at DeSoto; 20. Emporia; 23. at Junction City; 26. at Shawnee Heights; 29. at Topeka West. May — 4. Hayden; 7. Topeka High; 11. at Highland Park; 13. at Blue Valley Southwest.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
Coach: Nic Simons.
2019 record: 12-6.
Top returners: Emma Manrose, D, sr.; Bailey Hughes, GK,, sr.; Kyler Bowman, M, sr.; Hensley Brink, D, sr.; Katie Mulligan, D, jr.; Sydnee Hadley, M, jr.; Tatum Hoge, GK, jr.
Worth noting: T-Birds will be young, especially at the forward position, but Simons likes the talent on hand. .. Several seniors are three-year letterwinners.
Schedule
April — 5. at Bonner Springs; 6. at Leavenworth; 8. at Basehor-Linwood; 13. DeSoto; 15. Lansing; 16. Topeka High; 20. at KC Turner; 22. Leavenworth; 26. at Seaman; 27. Basehor-Linwood; 29. at DeSoto. May — 10. Topeka West; 11. at Lansing; 13. at Manhattan.
TOPEKA HIGH
Coach: Derek Snook.
2019 record: 11-7-1.
Top returners: Micaela Snook, sr.; Amerika Whetstone, sr.; Luxanna Sands, jr.; Adrianne Caracioni, jr.; Mary Dietrick, jr.
Worth noting: Trojans won a regional championship in 2019, but have virtually no full-time starters back from that squad. … Several freshmen could contribute.
Schedule
April — 1-2. at McPherson Inv.; 5. at Highland Park; 8. at Cair Paravel; 13. at Topeka West; 16. at Shawnee Heights; 20. at Manhattan; 23. Free State; 27. Hayden; 28. Junction City. May — 4. Topeka West; 7. at Seaman; 10. Washburn Rural; 13. at Emporia.
TOPEKA WEST
Coach: Josh Kutter.
2019 record: 2-14.
Top returners: Miah Mosher, F, jr.; Yasmine Bueno, D, sr.; Teresa Turrubiartes, D, jr.; Heleena Hutton, GK, jr.
Worth noting: Chargers will be very young with several sophomores and freshman starting. … Bueno is lone returning senior.
Schedule
April — 2. at Pittsburg; 6. at Louisburg; 10. Cair Paravel; 13. Topeka High; 19. at Washburn Rural; 21. at Highland Park; 26. Emporia; 29. Seaman. May — 4. at Topeka High; 6. at Junction City; 7. KC Washington; 10. at Shawnee Heights; 13. at Leavenworth.
WASHBURN RURAL
Coach: Brian Hensyel.
2019 record: 18-3-0.
Top returners: Joy Ngibuini, sr.; Riley Palmer, sr.; Izzy Entz, sr.; Brynn Fitzgibbons, sr.; Reagan Allen, jr.; Belle Kennedy, jr.; Emma Krueger, jr.; Hunter McWilliams, jr.; McKenna Merrick, jr.; Sheridan Wichman, jr.
Worth noting: Junior Blues were undefeated Centennial League champions in 2019 (8-0) and finished second in Class 6A state tournament. … Ngibuini was league newcomer of the year and second-team All-State as sophomore in 2019, leading team with 12 goals. … Kennedy was second-team all-league and ranked third on team in goals. … Allen was second on team in assists as freshman. … Junior Blues return 10 players with varsity experience despite missing last season.
Schedule
April — 1. at Olathe Northwest; 6. Highland Park; 8. Manhattan; 12. at Blue Valley West; 13. Seaman; 16. at Carroll; 19. Topeka West; 26. at Mill Valley. May — 3. Junction City; 4. at Emporia; 6. at Wichita Northwest; 10. at Topeka High.