A Season of Firsts and Records
The Manhattan High girls soccer program capped a compelling campaign by securing six spots on the All-Centennial League teams and advancing to the Class 6A state quarterfinals for the first time since 2023. The Indians closed the regular season with a 10-8-1 record and added a regional championship to their résumé, highlighted by a dramatic 3-2 upset over the second‑seeded Maize squad.
Offensive standout Lauren Booe paced the attack with ten goals and five assists, while midfielder Kameron Felice helped anchor a defense that recorded eight shutouts. Savanna Heitmann emerged as one of the team’s top threats, and Evelyn Thornburg contributed to a balanced scoring attack. Honorable mentions went to Avarye Meeker and Lexie Oehme, rounding out a deep and versatile roster.
Hayden High School, meanwhile, turned heads by completing an undefeated 21-0 run to capture the 4-1A state championship. The Wildcats’ dominance was recognized across the board, with Carsyn Broxterman earning Player of the Year, Emma Slyter taking Newcomer of the Year, and head coach Klaus Kreutzer being named Coach of the Year.
The twin successes underscore a vibrant soccer landscape in Kansas, where both public‑school programs have leveraged strong community support, rigorous training and strategic leadership to achieve milestones that will be remembered for years. Their stories also reflect a broader trend of rising competitiveness among high‑school teams across the state.