Spring Preview: Top Kansas girls prospects for 2022 season
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The girls high school scene in Kansas is dominated by a strong group in the Kansas City area. In fact, Eastern Kansas League (EKL) members swept the state titles in 2021. In most years the Kansas City area-based EKL produces…
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Continue ReadingThe girls high school scene in Kansas is dominated by a strong group in the Kansas City area. In fact, Eastern Kansas League (EKL) members swept the state titles in 2021. In most years the Kansas City area-based EKL produces four or five of the top seven-ranked teams in the state. These EKL squads are home to plenty of NCAA Division I-bound players. In fact, four of the five PrepSoccer.com preseason Player of the Year candidates are members of EKL teams. Here’s a look at top projected players for the upcoming spring high school season.
M Grace Bartlett Grace Bartlett M Blue Valley West | 2022 KS , Blue Valley West, Sr., Grand Canyon
Bartlett is a two-sport standout at Blue Valley West, soccer and volleyball. She was a finalist for the Gatorade Kansas girls soccer player of the year in 2021 after leading Blue Valley West to a Class 6A state title. Bartlett hails from a successful athletic family as two of her older brothers have been NCAA Division I college standouts and one currently is playing in USL.
F Ashley Koch Ashley Koch F Shawnee Mission East (KS) | 2023 KS , Shawnee Mission East, Jr., Saint Louis
The Saint Louis commit was the Class 6A Forward Co-Player of the Year. She scored 21 goals and had 13 assists while helping SME to a 16-5 record and a state runner-up finish.
F Chelsea Wagner Chelsea Wagner F Blue Valley North | 2022 KS , Blue Valley North, Sr., Oklahoma
The Oklahoma signee returned to high school soccer in 2021 and was an instant impact player. She was a first-team all-state performer. Overall, she has scored 23 goals and added 13 assists in 30 high school matches (freshman and junior years).
F Lexington Watts Lexington Watts F St. James Academy | 2022 KS , St. James, Sr., Kansas
The Kansas commit averaged nearly a goal per match while helping St. James to a mid-table finish in the powerhouse Eastern Kansas League. While an 8-7-1 regular-season record doesn’t stand out, it’s fair to note the quality of the schedule. Three of St. James’ league opponents swept the Kansas state titles, which is becoming commonplace for EKL programs. St. James, a 5A school, actually defeated 4A-1A champ and league rival Bishop Miege 2-0, and, yes, Watts scored one of the goals.
F Sydney Watts Sydney Watts M #24 Nation KS , St. Thomas Aquinas, Jr., Vanderbilt
Even with a change in coaches, the St. Thomas Aquinas machine rolls on. This Vanderbilt commit is a strong candidate for the top overall prospect in Kansas for the Class of 2023. Watts scored 12 goals and had eight assists and helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a 17-4 season and a Class 5A state title in 2021.
Others to Note
M Taylor Berman Taylor Berman F MO , Blue Valley West, Sr., Arkansas
M Mackenzie Hammontree, Blue Valley, Sr., Kansas
D Lily Hendrickson Lily Hendrickson M MO , Olathe West, Jr.
F Julia House Julia House F MO , Shawnee Mission South, Jr.
F Isabelle Joyce, Shawnee Mission West., So.
D Assa Kante, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr., Kansas
F Belle Kennedy, Washburn Rural, Sr.
F Peyton Martin-Peterson, Sr., Wichita East, Sr., Jacksonville
M Hunter McWilliams, Washburn Rural, Sr.
D Olivia Page Olivia Page D Mill Valley (KS) | 2023 KS , DeSoto, Jr., Kansas
D Sophia Ruadez, Blue Valley West, Sr.
F Kendall Starcevich, Olathe West, Sr.
GK Madison Wingler Madison Wingler GK Bishop Carroll Catholic | 2022 KS , Bishop Carroll, Sr., Kansas State