Six Wildcats named to all-state team; McManigal, Gassman selected first team

Louisburg seniors Cade Gassman, Colin McManigal, Toby Espina-Roca, Brecon Klugman, Matthew Sword and Gavin York were all named to the KHSSCA all-state team.

The season may be over, but members of the Louisburg boys soccer team are still getting recognized for a strong 2022 campaign.

Six Wildcats were named to the Class 4-1A All-State team by the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association on Nov. 18.

A pair of Wildcats were recognized among the best as seniors Colin McManigal and Cade Gassman were selected to the all-state first team. Senior Toby Espina-Roca was a second team honoree, while Brecon Klugman, Matthew Sword and Gavin York were named as honorable mentions.

The same six players were also given All-Frontier League honors earlier this month.

Gassman earned first team honors for the fourth time in his high school career and has been a fixture on the Wildcat team since his freshman season. 

This season, Gassman finished with five goals and four assists, but he was a valuable piece to the team at controlling play in the midfield and starting attacks.

McManigal led the team in scoring with 12 goals on the year to go along with three assists. It was a 1-2 combo that was big for the Wildcats this season.

Espina-Roca moved to the midfield this season for Louisburg after spending the last three years on the defensive side. He was also an integral part of the Wildcat team as he finished with six goals and five assists.

In his first year as a varsity goalie, Klugman thrived for the Wildcats as he finished with 113 saves and finished with six shutouts on the season. His save number was the second highest total in program history for a season.

Sword and York were key pieces on the Wildcat back line as they turned away several attacks and helped keep games close. York made the move to defense halfway through the season after seeing time at forward to start the year.

The two players led the Wildcat defense against some difficult opponents and were big in helping Klugman throughout the season.