Free State girls soccer earns All-Region nods

Free State High’s girls soccer team racked up awards when the Class 6A All-Central Region team was announced.

The regional champs, who knocked off Gardner-Edgerton and Topeka-Washburn Rural on their way to the state quarterfinals, landed senior midfielder Kylee Loneker, sophomore forward Maddie Dieker and sophomore defender Olivia Hodison on the first team.

Plus, the Firebirds received the region’s sportsmanship award and FSHS coach Kelly Barah was named the region’s coach of the year.

Lawrence High also had a first-team honoree in senior defender Lauren Fleming.

Free State senior defender Amber Hicks, junior defender Rylee Fuerst and senior goalkeeper Elena Auer were named second-team all-region, as was LHS junior defender Ella Magerl.

The Firebirds finished the 2012 season with a 12-5-2 record and lost to eventual state champion Olathe East in the state quarterfinals.

The Lions were 3-14 and lost to Manhattan in the first round of regionals.