Estrada Chooses Jayhawks

Bentonville Soccer Standout Signs Letter To Attend Kansas

Tayler Estrada signs her letter of intent on Wednesday as her father, Doug Estrada, watches inside the Tiger Athletic Complex at Bentonville High. Tayler Estrada signed to play soccer for University of Kansas.
Tayler Estrada signs her letter of intent on Wednesday as her father, Doug Estrada, watches inside the Tiger Athletic Complex at Bentonville High. Tayler Estrada signed to play soccer for University of Kansas.

— Tayler Estrada knew Kansas was the right school for her and made her oral commitment following a visit to the campus.

That moment transpired when she was a sophomore two years ago. The Bentonville soccer standout never wavered from her decision, then made good on her commitment when she signed her National Letter of Intent with Kansas during Wednesday’s ceremony in the Tiger Athletic Complex.

“This day took forever to get here,” she said. “Now that it’s here, I can’t believe it’s finally here. I was counting down the days, and I can’t believe how fast it came.

“I just can’t wait to get there. I know I made a really big commitment, but I feel like it was the right place for me. It was the right team, the right coach for me. I’m not worried about my decision, but I’m excited and a little nervous.”

Estrada became the fourth Lady Tiger player to be named Arkansas girls soccer player of the year as a sophomore, and she repeated that honor last year, becoming only the second player to do such a feat. She’s also been named the girls soccer player of the year by NWA Media and earned all-state honors the past three years.

She enters her senior season with 45 goals and 23 assists, and she has helped Bentonville reach the Class 7A State Championship three times. She’s also flourished outside the high school soccer ranks, where she took part in an Olympic Developmental Program and played on a team that went into Europe for competition.

“Tayler has made some amazing contributions, and she’s a wonderful girl, too,” Bentonville coach Kristina Henry said. “She will be greatly missed when she graduates.

“Players just can’t step in and fill that role. They have to find their own way. Hopefully there is somebody out there that will take up the slack.”

Estrada played a number of positions and filled several roles during her time at Bentonville. She’s expecting to possibly do more of the same the next four years at Kansas.

“They have never given me a clear plan,” she said. “They have said ‘We have seen in the back and in center, but we’ve also seen you at midfield and at forward.’

“I don’t know really where I’m going to play. It depends on the fit when I get there. Anywhere is good, as long as I playing there.”

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