Nicholson leads All-Olathe soccer team

Source: The Star

JOHN SLEEZER | Staff

Olathe East girls soccer players Claire Nicholson (right) and Kaitlyn Atkins had a lot to cheer about this season.

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Picking the 2009 Olathe News Girls Soccer Player of the Year wasn’t a tough task.

Claire Nicholson, after all, was a record-setting forward on the city’s best team — an Olathe East club that steamrolled through the Sunflower League and was unbeaten until the state championship game.

The junior striker found the back of the net 38 times.

Her speed and on-ball skills made her a handful for every team the Hawks faced.

Despite opposing defenses often building a strategy around choking off Nicholson’s dangerous runs, she still had 12 multiple-goal games, including a career-high five May 12 against Olathe North.

Nicholson had six hat tricks or better on the season and scored in 17 of East’s 21 games.

Teamed with sophomore Kaitlyn Atkins, who led the Hawks with 22 assists (mostly to Nicholson), Nicholson was half of the state’s most dynamic and dangerous goal-scoring tandem.

And here’s a thought that should make opposing soccer coaches cringe — Nicholson will be back for one more spring.

2009 All-Olathe girls soccer team F Kaitlyn Atkins, so., Olathe East

An all-region and first-team all-league selection, the Hawks standout delivered a team-best 22 assists and also scored 19 goals.

D Melanie Brewer, sr., Olathe North

A steady performer on the Eagles’ back line, the Park recruit was named second-team all-league.

GK Shelby Buttron, sr., Olathe South

Despite having her season cut short by injury, the Falcons’ athletic keeper was named first-team all-state and all-league.

D Bristol Clark, so., Olathe South

Part of a young back line, the Falcons second-team all-league performer also contributed one goal.

MF Victoria “Pippi” Haase, sr., Olathe Northwest

Quick and crafty, the Ravens senior scored six goals and earned second-team all-league honors.

D Emily Jorgenson, fr., Olathe Northwest

With a high soccer IQ, the Ravens freshman had no trouble adjusting to the high school game, earning first-team all-league honors and scoring two goals late in the season.

F Whitney Jorgenson, sr., Olathe Northwest

After a slow start, the Ravens first-team all-state and first-team all-league performer finished with a flurry, netting 16 goals.

MF Darci Miller, jr., Olathe East

Tough and talented in the middle, the Hawks first-team all-state and first-team all-league standout scored six goals and started numerous other attacks for the state runners-up.

F Claire Nicholson, jr., Olathe East

The Sunflower League Offensive Player of the Year, all-league and first-team all-state standout, the Hawks lethal striker authored a school-record 38 goals.

MF Kayla Shain, sr., Olathe Northwest

An all-region and first-team all-league performer, the Ravens’ standout scored five goals and set up several more, leading ONW with eight regular-season assists.

D Jenna Stones, sr., Olathe East

The Hawks’ standout sweeper was selected first-team all-state and first-team all-league. A weapon on set pieces as well, Stones scored four goals and set up several more.

D Taylor Svec, sr., Olathe East

One of the primary contributors to the Hawks’ 14 shutouts, the defender was a second-team all-league choice.

MF Sarah Thompson, sr., Olathe North

A second-team all-league performer, the Eagles’ graduate scored five goals.

MF Jennifer Wolfe, jr., Olathe North

The Eagles’ first-team all-league performer, Wolfe led her squad with nine goals.

- 2009-06-26 18:04:01