East's Coyle, Griffin receive Sunflower League POY awards

Winning the Sunflower League for the sixth time in seven years got the Olathe East boys soccer team noticed.

The Hawks, 15-2-1, tied for the league crown with Olathe South. Both teams were 10-1 in league, but when the postseason awards were doled out it was East that had the top offensive and defensive player in voting by coaches.

Senior forward Ben Coyle, who led the Hawks and the league with 18 goals this season, was named the Sunflower League's Offensive Player of the Year.

Fellow senior and teammate Andy Griffin, a defender, was chosen as the Defensive Player of the Year.

The pair were among seven players from Olathe selected first-team all-league.

“It's a nice honor for two wonderful seniors whose season was a tribute to all their efforts,” East coach Terry Hair said. “To receive an honor like that is wonderful for them and their parents as well as for our school.”

The Hawks also swept the awards in 2007 when forward Steven Stewart and goalkeeper Mark Saxby won the awards.

“Having the tradition of winning the league doesn't come because of one athlete,” Hair said. “That's from a team playing well day in and day out. We have a lot of good kids, and they deserve it.”

Of course, both those teams also finished 15-2-1 and bowed out in regional championship games. Coyle and Griffin would gladly give back the individual honors for a shot at the Kansas 6A crown.

Such awards should be cherished, though.

“They'll look back on it and feel good about all the accomplishments they've made,” Hair said. “It's hard to go through four very strong opponents to make it to a state championship game. I think they'd trade in the accolades, but I think also they'll reflect and feel really good about the season.”

In addition to Coyle, Olathe South senior Trey Bristow, who had a league-leading 18 goals, and Brad Barclay, who netted 10 goals, were named first-team all-league.

The trio were also named to the Northeast Kansas Soccer Coaches Association All-Region first team Griffin, who scored eight goals for East, also was named first-team all-region.

Hawks teammate Taylor Esparza was a first-team all-league pick in the midfield. He was joined by South midfielder Alex Pilsl. Fellow Falcon Andrew Garcia was also first-team all-league.

2009 All-Sunflower League boys soccer team

Offensive Player of the Year: Ben Coyle, sr., Olathe East

Defensive Player of the Year: Andy Griffin, sr., Olathe East

Coach of the Year: Jason Pendleton, Free State

Referee of the Year: Brad Clem

First team

Forwards — Ben Coyle, sr., Olathe East; Trey Bristow, sr., Olathe South; Sam McCrillis, sr., SM Northwest; Diego Gonzalez, jr., Free State; Brad Barclay, sr., Olathe South.

Midfielders — Alex Pilsl, sr., Olathe South; Daniel Chance, sr., Free State; Jon Kankam, sr., SM Northwest; Taylor Esparza, sr., Olathe East; Lucas Throckmorton, jr., SM East.

Defenders — Andy Griffin, sr., Olathe East; Brendon Fisch, sr., SM Northwest; Andrew Garcia, sr., Olathe South; Alan Hornbaker, sr., Free State; Frankie Washington, sr., Leavenworth.

Goalkeeper — Shawn Miles, sr., SM Northwest.

Second team

Forwards — Marc Schwingen, sr., Olathe East; Graham Dobbins, soph., Olathe Northwest; Mandi Moffor, sr., SM South; Bobby Hoelting, sr., SM Northwest; Jorge Rivero, fr., Olathe North.

Midfielders — Trevor Pentola, sr., Olathe South; Asher Herbert, jr., SM South; Brandon Allen, sr., Olathe Northwest; Chris Brown, jr., SM West; Max Brewer, sr., Olathe East.

Defenders — Austin Cook, jr., Olathe Northwest; Kyle Neely, sr., SM West; Kyle Rogge, sr., Olathe East; John McNair, sr., SM Northwest; Trey Daniels, sr., Olathe North.

Goalkeeper — Dustin Derks, sr., Olathe East.

Honorable mention

Dan Boxler, jr., SM South; Rob Breeden, jr., Olathe East; Tim DeSanto, sr., Olathe South; Daniel Diaz, jr., Olathe North; Gordon Green, sr., SM East; Justin Hershey, jr., Olathe East; Cameron Hundelt, sr., Olathe South; Nick King, sr., SM North; Nathan Kohl, sr., Leavenworth; Mark Krutty, sr., Olathe Northwest; Taylor Lawson, sr., Olathe Northwest; David Leichty, fr., SM South; Tony Libeer, jr., Free State; Jim Lucas, sr., Olathe North; Sam Mahr, sr., SM North; Kyle Moore, jr., SM Northwest; Romeo Munoz, soph., SM North; BJ Oleson, sr., Leavenworth; Cam Smith, jr., SM East; Tyler Smith, sr., Free State; Lippi Souza, sr., SM Northwest; Cameron Volker, sr., SM West; Sean Walsh, sr., SM West.

2009 Northeast Kansas Soccer Coaches Association All-Region team

First team

Brad Barclay, sr., Olathe South; Nick Besler, jr., BV West; Trey Bristow, sr., Olathe South; Ben Coyle, sr., Olathe East; Andrew Farsnworth, sr., BV Northwest; Andy Griffin, sr., Olathe East; Jon Kankam, sr., SM Northwest; Sam McCrillis, sr., SM Northwest; Shawn Miles, sr., SM Northwest; Jordan Rideout, jr., BV North; Lucas Throckmorton, jr., SM East.

Second team

Tom Adams, jr., Blue Valley; Tyler Conway, jr., BV West; Taylor Esparza, sr., Olathe East; Brendon Fisch, sr., SM Northwest; Andrew Garcia, sr., Olathe South; Asher Herbert, jr., SM South; Jon Kempin, jr., BV North; Nick McDonald, sr., Blue Valley; Kyle Neely, sr., SM West; Erik Norburg, sr., BV North; Alex Pilsl, sr., Olathe South; Garret Pulliam, soph., BV West.