Wildcats earn four spots on all-state soccer team

By Andy Brown
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Updated: July 7, 2021

Senior Olivia Barber (left) and junior Reese Johnson were named to the Class 4-1A all-state first team by the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association.

With any kind of success comes recognition, and the Louisburg girls soccer team has gotten more in the last week.

Louisburg, which finished fourth at the Class 4-1A state tournament, earned four spots on the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.

Senior Olivia Barber and junior Reese Johnson were named to the Class 4-1A all-state first team, while freshmen Hailey Sword and Lola Edwards earned second team honors.

“The four girls we had recognized for all-state were very valuable to our success,” Louisburg coach Kyle Conley said. “Once again, when any individual accomplishes any individual award, it is usually because their teammates help put them in a position to succeed.”

Johnson was one of the team’s main facilitators on offense as she was second on the team with nine assists and also had seven goals.

Barber also had a big final season for the Wildcats as she finished the year with 11 goals and 11 assists.

“Reese and Olivia did a fantastic job for our team’s attack,” Conley said. “They created a massive amount of opportunities for our team and played at such a high level. Olivia had such great vision and did a fantastic job of finding her teammates. Reese was such an unbelievable threat attacking the right side. She was so good all season long.”

***Freshmen Lola Edwards (left) and Hailey Sword were named to the all-state second team.***

Edwards was also another valuable piece to the Wildcat offense as she was second on the team with 15 goals to go along with six assists.

Sword was a big part of the Wildcat defense as she took away the other team’s best players from her defensive midfield spot. She also had three goals on the year.

“Hailey and Lola did a great job for us as well,” Conley said. “As freshmen, they stepped up big time and took on the challenge of replacing some really tough players. Not only did they step up, but they excelled. Hailey took away the middle of the field and Lola played with a massive amount of energy up top for our team. Both these young ladies have a lot of great things ahead of them in their careers.”