Kutemeyer tabbed as girls soccer Player of the Year (with All-Area team)
For years now, Kaitlyn Kutemeyer has proudly answered to a nickname most girls would rather distance themselves from all together.
But for Kutemeyer, a senior defender at Choctawhatchee who has grown to relish the role of defensive enforcer, being called “The Beast” on a daily basis by friend and foe alike is the ultimate in flattery. Even more complimentary than the name itself has been the growing legend surrounding The Beast.
“You could ask anybody from most of the schools around here, people can be scared to go up against me because I’ll run right through them if I have to,” Kutemeyer said, her voice beaming with pride. “I play club soccer with girls from the other schools and they will duck out of the way if I take a shot. It’s kind of like they are a little scared of me, so I kind of have an edge over them. Even though they’re my friends, they’re still a little scared.”
Kutemeyer was the heart and soul of a Choctaw team that finished 12-4-1 before falling in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals to Rutherford. On a team that featured one of the area’s premier scorers in Shelby Bush (37 goals), it was Kutemeyer that coaches across the area pointed to as a difference-maker in every sense of the word.
As a result, Kutemeyer has been named this year’s All Sports Association/Daily News girls soccer Player of the Year, edging out Bush and Navarre forward Alex Herman, who herself accounted for 30 goals and six assists for the Raiders.
While Kutemeyer’s stats and play may lack the glitz of her offensive counterparts, Choctaw coach Michael Lightbourne was entrenched in his belief that the Indians’ senior helped carry Choctaw last season.
“She was the center of the defense and really, that’s where our (offensive) attack starts,” Lightbourne said. “It wouldn’t happen if she wasn’t in the middle. She did more than just defend.”
From her vantage point in the back of the defense, Kutemeyer played a critical role in not only stifling opponents’ advances on the Choctaw net but also in helping shape the Indians’ offensive attack as well.
“She’s not the kind of player that just clears the ball,” Lightbourne said. “She can find people and distribute the ball.”
More than anything, though, Kutemeyer imposes her will on the opposition with a physical style not all too common in girls soccer.
Growing up with two older brothers — Kevin, now 22, and James, 25 — Kutemeyer learned at an early age the value in not only being strong of mind, but also just plain strong.
“They would tag team me,” Kutemeyer said. “I was getting beat up all the time. I think that helped me with soccer because I’m not afraid to get in there and get to it. You can’t be scared when you’re playing; you can’t hesitate because that will just kill you.”
Daily News Girls Soccer All Area
Player of the Year: Kaitlyn Kutemeyer, Choctaw
Coach of the Year: Brian Alldredge, RBCS
First team
G – Anne Preston, Navarre
G – Lacey Csaszar, Niceville
D – Kaitlyn Kutemeyer, Choctaw
D – Kristen Petresky, Choctaw
D – Julianne Gaubron, Niceville
D – Katie Wills, Niceville
M - Madison Rodwell, Navarre
M – Meghan Slaybaugh, Navarre
M – Kristin Muldowney, Niceville
M – Grace Sager, Niceville
F – Alex Herman, Navarre
F – Shelby Bush, Choctaw
F – Molly Everitt, Niceville
F – Katie Kaim, RBCS
Second team
G – Shannon Donahue, RBCS
G – Lauren Richardson, Choctaw
D – Savannah Boswell, Niceville
D – Krystel Taylor, Niceville
D – Mae Mae Torry, FWB
D – Jenny Wells, Navarre
M - Jacqueline Chelbowski, Niceville
M – Ashley Quakenbush, Choctaw
M – Alyssa Altonen, Crestview
M – Paula Swiercz, SW
F – Katy Morrow, Navarre
F – Tiffany Souders, Crestview
F – Kelsie McGrail, FWB
F – Kasey Stone, FWB
Honorable Mention:
Choctaw: Mary Kathryn Allen, Angela Carillo
Crestview: Brittany Bonilla
FWB: Mallory Joseph, Stephanie Pridgen, Jackie Kroeger, Skye Carpenter, Megan Conner, Rebecca Dillard
Navarre: Sydney Eubank, Jennifer Rutledge, Becca Boucher, Jordan Roberts
Niceville: Katie Mitchell, Ali Demonbrun
RBCS: Brittany Tiller, Shannon Guthrie, Christy Serban, Corrie Sober, Jane Ellen Brown, Stephanie Serban, Grace Stoner
South Walton: Jordie Davis, Mackenzie Wakefield, Jessica Harrison, Jesse Taylor, Claudia Gordillo
Walton: Brittany Boston, Carmel Teves, Joan Anne Wilson, Shelby Skipper
