Nine Wildcats earn all-league soccer honors; Yows, Gassman named first team

By Andy Brown
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Updated: November 11, 2021

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

The Louisburg boys soccer team finished the season as the co-Frontier League champions and the Wildcats were recognized as such.

The all-league soccer teams were released early this week and the Wildcats earned nine spots, including two on the first team.

Senior midfielder Braden Yows and junior midfielder Cade Gassman were selected to the first team. Junior forward Colin McManigal, senior defender Michael Seuferling, senior midfielder Isaac Guetterman and junior goalie Mack Newell were second team honorees.

Senior midfielder/defender Hunter Rogers, junior defender Matthew Sword and junior forward Ethan Ptacek were named to the honorable mention team.

“I felt we had a lot of guys receive honors, in fact it was the most players we ever had get recognized in a single year,” Louisburg coach Kyle Conley said. “As a team that only lost one official league game and held their opponents to less goals per game, scored the most, etc…,I thought our boys deserved a better representation on the first team. We are way too good of a team only to get two players to receive first team All Frontier.

“We were a really good team and to get nine players recognized was that is pretty impressive. Just thought some of our players deserved a higher honor. Our league was wide open in regards to the middle of the pack and that had a big influence on how the voting went.”

Yows, a UMKC signee, wrapped up his final season as a Wildcat in impressive fashion. He led Louisburg with 17 goals on the season, 11 assists and 48 shots on goal.

Gassman, who started out at forward, moved to the midfield halfway through the season. He finished with 11 goals, nine assists and had 34 shots on goal.

“Braden and Cade have been two of the best players in our league over the past few years,” Conley said. “They are incredibly talented players and were fantastic for us this season. Those two did a very good job of breaking down our opponents and we flat out just attacked from everywhere. Braden and Cade have unbelievable individual skills and they both had great years. Those two guys made our team so dynamic on the ball and created so many chances.”

The Wildcats were well represented on the second team and it started in goal with Newell. Despite missing a few games, Newell was one of the top goalkeepers in the league with 68 saves and gave up just 13 goals.

McManigal was also among the top scorers on the team as he tied Gassman for second on the team with 11 goals and he also had two assists.

Seuferling and Guetterman were key pieces to a Louisburg defense that gave up few chances during the league season.

“These young men had really good years and did so well,” Conley said. “They were all key parts of our team and had really solid years. Michael was one of the best, if not the best, outside back in our league. He literally shutdown that side of the field. He made it really tough for teams to break down and expose us. Isaac had a great year in the middle of the field and moved the ball well in starting out possession. He also wasn’t afraid to stick his nose in tackles either. He never backed down from a tackle.

“Colin finished the year on a high note and scored a lot of goals. His pressure and creating turnovers was great for us. He really took a big step this season and I can’t wait to see what he becomes next year. Mack was a rock for us in goal. He was really good to start the year, but missed some time due to covid. It took him a little time to get his mojo back and he was really, really good. Can’t wait to have him for a full year next year.”

Rogers and Sword were vital pieces to the Wildcat defense this past season, while Rogers was active in the midfield as well and scored two goals and had two assists. Sword played starting center back for the first time this year.

As for Ptacek, he complemented the Wildcat scoring as he finished the year with five goals and four assists.