photo by: Journal-World Sports Staff

The Journal-World All-Area Teams.

The Journal-World All-Area teams are carefully selected by the Journal-World sports staff.

Coach of the Year: Joe Comparato, Lawrence

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High head soccer coach Joe Comparato has been prepping his squad since school let out in May. It’ll be Comparato’s first year coaching the boys and girls teams this coming school year.

The Lawrence girls soccer team set a school record in wins with 11 while reaching the team’s first-ever regional championship. The Lions finished seventh in the 6A East this season.

Player of the Year: Sidra Besson, Lawrence

Sidra Besson

Besson was the Lawrence team MVP and scored 14 goals and earned six assists for the Lions while finishing first-team all-Sunflower League as a midfielder.

Macy Ankenbauer, Bishop Seabury

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury sophomore Macy Ankenbauer takes a free kick during the Seahawks’ game against Bishop Miege on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence.

Ankenbauer recorded another 20-goal season her sophomore year at Bishop Seabury and was a catalyst for the Seahawks’ success. Her versatility and leadership helped the Seahawks have their most successful season, as did her impactful two-way play as a box-to-box midfielder.

Ginny Besson, Lawrence

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Ginny Besson possesses the ball in a 3-2 overtime win over Blue Valley on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Lawrence.

Besson earned first-team all-Sunflower League honors after scoring nine goals with five assists this season.

Kylie Bourne, Eudora

Kylie Bourne

Bourne scored 11 times with five assists, which put her in first-team all-Frontier League and second-team all-state honors. Her ability to attack at full speed helped the Cardinals score throughout the year.

Cara Jeffries, Free State

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior defender Cara Jeffries kicks the ball on a free kick in a 2-2 tie against Olathe North at Free State on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Lawrence.

Jeffries was a tough, physical defender for Free State all throughout her career with the Firebirds, and her senior season was no different as she was rarely ever taken off the field.

Kambrea Kerr, Eudora

Kambrea Kerr

Kerr scored 12 goals and finished with three assists her junior campaign, which earned her first-team all-Frontier League and second-team all-state honors. Kerr was also a team captain and leader beyond her on-field performances.

Presley Peterson, Bishop Seabury

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury freshman Presley Peterson chases down a ball during the game against Baldwin on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence.

As a freshman, Peterson immediately became a dangerous offensive player with her combination of speed, finishing, competitiveness and soccer IQ allowing her to score 29 goals and 16 assists, breaking school freshman records.

Audrey Searl, Baldwin

Audrey Searl

Searl had 144 saves at the goalkeeper position for Baldwin and finished with only 32 goals against. She finished with second-team all-Frontier League honors.

Honorable Mention: Sophie Borrato-Novick, Bishop Seabury; Marissa Dick, Tonganoxie; Ava Koehn, Eudora; Natalie Loving, Tonganoxie; Lauren McCart, Baldwin; Riley Prier, Free State; Lilli Sanders, Tonganoxie; Brooklyn Taylor, Baldwin.