State girls soccer notes
State girls soccer notes
Class 6A
Maize (19-0) – The Eagles have a score to settle when they face Blue Valley West in the semifinals at Olathe. Just as last year, the Eagles are 19-0 going into state. But Maize hit a wall a year ago at state when Blue Valley West thumped the Eagles 7-0 on the way to the state title. Sophomore Whitney Lucas scored six goals in an 8-0 quarterfinal victory over North. Junior Paige Thompson had four goals in a 9-1 triumph over Heights in the regional final. Maize relies on its midfielders, including sophomore Hadley Davis, junior Madison Holmes and senior McKenzie Hartzog, to set up the forwards.
Northwest (13-6) – The Grizzlies blanked Derby, Dodge City and Manhattan – the final two on the road – to earn the seimifinal berth. They will be looking to duplicate the state championship that their undefeated boys team captured last fall. Grizzlies coach Bobby Bribiesca substitutes frequently, and it has paid off in giving his freshmen valuable experience. One of those freshmen, Paige Achey, has taken some of the scoring burden off junior Renee Gillespie. Senior Sydney Andrews has been solid at midfielder-defender. Sophomore Aliya Higginbotham scored the only goal in the game in a 1-0 quarterfinal victory at Manhattan.
Class 5A
Bishop Carroll (17-1) – Carroll will be gunning for revenge for the only blemish on its record today against St. Thomas Aquinas. Freshman Jami Reichenberger has taken over in goal for injured Keighton Allen and Theresa Nack. Reichenberger held Aquinas scoreless through 80 minutes in the May 4 matchup, but gave up a goal during a scramble in overtime – the only goal she has allowed. Sophomore midfielder-defender Shanae Vasquez and freshmen Baylee Vaughn and Maria Walden have helped the defense become almost impenetrable. Freshmen Shelby Lopez and Emily Woods have sparkled up front, as have seniors Alyssia Salinas, Alicia Resa and Kiley Burris.