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Hayden legend Klaus Kreutzer turning boys soccer reins over to Wildcat alum Joey Gartner
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Legendary Hayden soccer coach Klaus Kreutzer isn't ready to step away completely from the sport he loves.
Klaus Kreutzer, who has coached Hayden soccer the past 25 seasons, will turn the boys coaching reins over to former Wildcat Joey Gartner this fall. [File photo/TSN]
But Kreutzer, who will turn 80 next month, is ready to cut back just a little after coaching Hayden the past 25 seasons.
Kreutzer, who has led the Wildcats to five state championships (two boys, three girls) confirmed to TopSports.news Friday that he's turning the boys head coaching reins over to former Wildcat player Joey Gartner this fall but will continue to coach the Hayden girls team next spring.
"I've thought for a couple of years about stepping back while I still have some time to enjoy the time away, whether it's with my wife and traveling or doing something with my kids or grandkids,'' Kreutzer said. "But I wanted somebody that I felt comfortable with to lead the program.
"And once Joey came on board last year I was excited a little bit. And then seeing what he was able to do and what he does on the field I think he's a good fit, so that's what kind of promulgated that decision.''
Kreutzer said he knows he'll miss not being on the field this fall, but will continue to remain close to the program.
"Once I made the decision, and as it gets a little bit closer to the season starting, I've kind of had some thoughts and I've really enjoyed the relationship with players,'' Kreutzer said. "I just got an email a week ago from Cooper Grace (class of 2025) that really made me feel good. Not going into what it is that he said, but his time here was memorable and I really appreciate that, and I think coaching has been a great opportunity for me.
"But stepping back a little bit I think is better than just doing it wholesale. I do enjoy other things in life and that's kind of what prompted my decision.''
Kreutzer led Hayden to boys state championships in 2000 and 2012 and has led the Wildcat girls to titles in 20012, 2013 and 2015.
"You have to have good players to be a good coach and I've had some really good ones,'' he said.
Hayden's girls have also posted five runnerup state finishes, including this past spring.
Seaman will also have a new boys soccer coach this fall, with Seaman alum Ty Hurla taking over for the Vikings.
Two-time defending MIAA champion WU soccer picked fourth in preseason coaches poll
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KANSAS CITY, MO. -- The Washburn University women's soccer team was picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday.
Washburn soccer, back-to-back MIAA champion, has been picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods picked up five first-place votes, the most first-place votes in the conference, and 123 total points.
Washburn has won back-to-back MIAA regular season titles, posting a 10-1-1 record in the MIAA and a 14-4-3 overall record last fall.
The Ichabods return 17 players from last year's team and add 12 newcomers.
Washburn kicks off the season in St. Louis, Mo. where the Ichabods will play Maryville on September 4 at 4 p.m. and Missouri-St. Louis on September 6 at 12 p.m.
2025 MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [4] – 132 points
2. Central Oklahoma [4] – 126 points
3. Missouri Western – 124 points
4. Washburn [5] – 123 points
5. Northeastern State – 92 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 89 points
7. Pittsburg State – 71 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 69 points
9. Fort Hays State – 63 points
10. Emporia State – 53 points
11. Rogers State – 37 points
12. Missouri Southern – 19 points
13. Newman – 16 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
Ichabods' Belle Kennedy looking to cap banner soccer career with a bang
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's a little hard for former Washburn Rural and current Washburn University standout Belle Kennedy to accept the fact that her outstanding soccer career is entering the home stretch.
Two-time All-MIAA first-team pick Belle Kennedy (12) returns for her senior soccer season with Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]
"I feel so old,'' Kennedy said with a chuckle. "Honestly, time's flown by so fast. I remember my freshman year of high school and (Brian) Hensyel was coaching me and now I'm up to my senior year with Davy (Phillips). It's just ridiculous how fast it really goes by and you can never take anything for granted.''
But before the 5-foot-3 midfielder turns the page and embarks on her career as an ICU nurse, the two-time first-team All-MIAA pick wants to add a few more things to her resume.
Kennedy helped lead Washburn Rural to a pair of Class 6A state championship games while being named the 6A midfielder of the year as a junior and senior and has helped Washburn win back-to-back MIAA regular-season titles and a runnerup finish in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
In fact, a title is really the only accomplishment missing from Kennedy's to-do list.
"That would be the best thing ever, to go out with a bang and win the national championship,'' said Kennedy, who had three game-winning goals last season.
The Ichabods suffered heavy graduation losses off of last year's 14-4-3 team, but Phillips' team still returns a solid nucleus and as added a host of talented newcomers to the WU fold.
As the team's most experienced player with 62 games played, Kennedy knows she needs to be a leader this fall.
"I would say definitely the jump from junior to senior year is going to be a different role for me as far as it will be coaching my own teammates in a way that makes it all very cohesive when we're actually playing,'' Kennedy said.
"As far as my personal abilities, none of that will change, but as far as jumping into the leadership role of going from worrying solely about me for the most part, now I have everybody to greet and help bring into the program and that has definitely been a big key thing in the back of my mind.''
