ShawneeDispatch.com

After their best season in four years, the Shawnee Mission Northwest girls' soccer squad saw their season of hard work pay off in the naming of five Cougars named to the All-Sunflower League squads.

Senior striker Lauren Isenhower, who signed with NCAA Division I Nebraska earlier this year, received first--team honors after leading the team in scoring with 16 goals and 9 assists. This feat was made even more remarkable due to the fact that Isenhower was double-teamed defensively by almost every foe the Cougars faced.

"Lauren's best weapons are her speed and her power," said Northwest head coach Todd Boren on Monday. "She's so fast that other teams had to double-team her. I think she'll be able to step in at Nebraska and make an immediate impact."

Junior striker Rachelle Luster and sophomore midfielder Emily Quigley were named to the Sunflower Second Team and both are set up to be cornerstones of what could potentially be a real power in the Sunflower League next year.

"Rachelle really stepped up this year," said Boren, " and you've got to have that other girl who can score when they double team your other threat."

Luster, who was second on the team in goals (12) but led the team in assists, was described by Boren as a striker who was at her best playing like a post player in basketball.

"She is really strong with her back to the goal," said Boren of Luster. "So, yes, I guess you could say she's our post-up scorer."

Quigley earned her honors for decisiveness and athletic maturity she showed as just a sophomore.

"She sees the field so well," said Boren of the midfielder. "She's balanced. She steps up and controls and dominates the field. She is one of our best all-around players."

Joining Isenhower, Luster, and Quigley with League honors were junior defenseman Alex Knight and senior midfielder Chelsie Sheahan, who each earned honorable mention nods.

"For Alex," said Boren, "stopper was a new position, but she's just tough as nails. We usually put her on the other team's best player because she has the ability to mark just about anyone in the Sunflower League.

Boren was equally generous in praising Sheahan.

"Chelsie will be sorely missed. We used her more in a defensive role this year and she'll be difficult to replace. But she's going to Johnson County (Community College) next year and I thinks she's going to be able to jump right in and make an impact there."

Luster, Knight, and Quigley will return next year to a squad that went 9-7-1 last season and finished with four shutouts in their last six games. Boren and his returnees believe that, even with the losses of Isenhower, Quigley and fellow seniors Erica Birkman and Amber Bocquin, a solid nucleus has developed for continued Cougar success.