by Alan Hoskins
Kansas City Kansas Community College freshman Maria Hansen has been named the top goalkeeper in both the Jayhawk Conference and Region VI for 2015.
A first team selection on both teams, she is joined on the All-Jayhawk Conference team by another freshman, Allie Ledbetter of Bonner Springs, who earned honorable mention recognition.
A 6-foot native of Copenhagen, Denmark, Hansen posted four shutouts in KCKCC’s winningest women’s season (4-14-1) and was Jayhawk Conference Goalkeeper of the Week for her outstanding play in the Lady Blue Devils’ 2-1 overtime win over Maple Woods.
Hansen had six saves in the win and helped set up both KCKCC goals. Hansen first advanced the ball to Ledbetter, who then crossed the ball to Piper’s Katie Trzok for KCKCC’s first goal. Hansen then advanced the ball up the left flank 40 yards which led to Trzok’s game-winning goal in overtime.
The highlight of the Lady Blue Devils’ third season was a 0-0 deadlock with Johnson County which knocked the Lady Cavaliers out of first place in the Jayhawk.
“The leader on the field just as she was off the field, Maria dedicated the entire season sacrificing her body for her teammates so that we would have a fighting chance no matter the competition we played,” said KCKCC first-year coach Jeremy Winzer.
“She is an outstanding teammate and most of all an incredible young lady who will move on to do great things in life.”
Winzer said Ledbetter’s adapting to the position of defender was critical in her development as a viable performer.
“When she bought in to the idea of defender the talent that she showed was unbelievable,” Winzer said. “One of my most dependable players and a leader on the team, she’s an example of the character development I highlight as one of the great things they will get from being a part of the KCKCC women’s soccer team.
“Both of these young ladies are outstanding young women and deserve the recognition they received but I cannot say that without giving credit to each young woman who played on this team this year and gave their heart and soul to the program. It was a good start in my first year and I am looking forward to our 2016 campaign when we seek to make more history by earning our first berth in the regional tournament in KCKCC history.”
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director for KCKCC.