The era of women's soccer at Lakeland Christian is over.
Only a select few players have the staying power and influence over time to define an era. And KJ Straub is definitely one of those players. She has made a huge impact since joining the playoff starting lineup as a seventh-grader and was a cornerstone of Lakeland Christian's four-year state championship team.
Believe it or not, Straub has had some of his best performances throughout his career, but he saved the best for last. Joining eight new star players, Straub showed leadership on and off the field, and in addition to his incredible skill, he led his team in scoring by more than half, despite being a defensive midfielder. , the most outstanding women's soccer player in Polk County history. .
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Straub, a Dairy Farmer's Miss Soccer runner-up and Class 2A Player of the Year, has been named The Ledger's 2023-24 Female Soccer Player of the Year. She was also honored two years ago as a sophomore.
Winning a state title four years in a row was something she couldn't have predicted, despite having confidence in herself and her teammates, but winning at least one state title was something the Vikings was confident enough to think it was in Su's hands.
“We've had great teams every year,” Straub said. “Every year, different people have brought different abilities. I watched that team my freshman year and that was my first glimpse of, 'Oh my god, we're going to go all the way.' . I played on the team with him in 7th grade and his 8th grade and we were pretty close. That team I was a freshman with felt like they had all the perfect ingredients. We felt like we could do it.”
As exciting as the first title was, it never got old.
“Each one was so different from the other that I will never forget them,” she said. “I loved the anticipation each year.”
She said the second title was tougher, with last year's title being an impossible victory at St. John's Country Day and this year's fourth consecutive title.
Straub has always been one of the top players in terms of skill and leadership, but she acknowledged this season was different.
“I had to look at it completely differently this year,” she said. “I've always been known as Baby on the team. This year as a senior, I'm so happy to be able to participate every year because I get to help the girls in the best way I can. They have the opportunity to do that too. I was so excited to see them.”
Mr. Straub is truly humble. She is much more cheerful when talking about her teammates than when talking about herself. On the field, she plays with tremendous passion. Her intensity and her drive to play with all her heart on display is clearly visible in her photos.
“At the end of her (seventh grade) season and going into the playoffs, it was clear that she was one of our best players from an IQ standpoint,” LCS coach Jason Streets said. . “But what I like most about her has always been her competitiveness. She can't stand losing. She wants to win so bad. Her eighth grade year, Although she lost in the state semifinals, you could see her mentality and her drive and determination for the next year.
“And it helped her freshman year to come in with Ramsey (Watkins) and have leaders like that show her the path to ultimately getting it done. But she She was a very big part of that. She was right in the middle. From there, it kind of blossomed. Her leadership, her competitive spirit, you can't teach the girls that. When you lead like that, you gravitate towards it because it's all encouragement and it's all full of love. That's very rare. A lot of girls think that way.”
On the field, Streets used strobes wherever needed. If the Vikings need offensive reinforcements, she will likely move into an offensive role. She had a team-high 20 goals and 25 assists. In the playoffs, she played primarily on defense. And every time the Vikings faced a team with a highly rated explosive player, Streets used Straub to shut her down.
Personally, Straub is most proud of how his confidence has grown and his greater understanding of all aspects of the game, including the importance of team chemistry. And of course, she credits her teammates with helping her grow.
“I’ve been so blessed to have played for so many great players,” she said. “It helped me a lot and helped me be able to lead the team this year. There were girls like Ramsey and Katie Kearns and Eden Guinn who inspired me. And having leaders to look up to, going all the way back to Katie Williams and Destiny Deeds in seventh grade, definitely helped me through my high school years.”
Straub achieved almost everything a high school soccer player can accomplish, and most of all, she achieved what she dreamed of. Prior to announcing the Miss Soccer winner, Straub said she would not be disappointed if she didn't win. It was a humbling and honest feeling.
“I was really excited about the fact that we won four (state titles),” she said. “If something else happens, that's great, but if not, what more can we ask for? God has been so good to us this season.”
Straub will play his college soccer at the University of South Alabama, becoming the LCS' fifth Division I signee in the past decade. She joined a team last fall with a 16-1-3 record, leaving a team that saw nearly all of its top players return.
The Vikings will once again be a contender for a state title, but without Straub will be a big loss.
“She was the glue that held everything together and showed us the way,” Streets said. She's fun to watch because all the girls are drawn to her. Everything was love and fun and she went above and beyond what I expected to be good. ”
