BENTONVILLE — Tayler Estrada has entered a league of her own when it comes to girls soccer in Arkansas.
The Bentonville senior standout became the first player to be named the state’s player of the year for a third time by Gatorade, which has honored high school soccer athletes since 1998. Only seven other players have accomplished such a feat nationwide, and two of them joined Estrada in completing the task Tuesday.
“I feel like all the hard work that I have put in has paid off,” Estrada said. “But I wouldn’t have received it if it hadn’t been for my parents and my coaches being there to push me and make me be a better player. They definitely helped me get to be the player that I am.
“I still wanted to be a better player. I didn’t think two was enough. I still wanted to work hard and be the competitive player I am. I wanted to show people that I’m not an overrated player.”
At A Glance
Three Times The Awards
Only eight girls nationwide have been named their respective state’s girls soccer player of the year by Gatorade since it began awarding players in 1998, and three of those girls completed that accomplishment Tuesday. Those players are:
Kelly Quinn, Dublin (Ohio) Coffman, 2003-05
Rachel Givan, Ridgeland, Miss., 2005-07
Tiffany McCarty, Washington (D.C.) St. John’s, 2006-08
Sarah Killion, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Dwenger, 2009-11
Stephanie DeVita, Simpsonville (S.C.) Hillcrest, 2010-12
Morgan Brian, Milford, N.H., 2011-13 (including national player of the year in 2012)
Tayler Estrada, Bentonville, 2011-13
Rose Ripslinger, Davenport (Iowa) Assumption, 2011-13
SOURCE: www.gatorade.com
Estrada, a 5-foot-7 midfielder, had already become the state’s second player to receive the award more than once when she was recognized last year, joining Fayetteville’s Kelli Wilson, who won it in 1998-99. She is also one of three Bentonville players to receive the honor, joining Kelly O’Connor (2006) and April Wilson (2009).
She signed a national letter of intent with Kansas before the season started, then helped the Lady Tigers compile a 16-3-1 record and their second straight Class 7A state championship. Estrada finished the season with 20 goals — including five goals during the Class 7A State Tournament — and 62 goals through her four-year career.
“This is fantastic. I’m thrilled for her,” Bentonville coach Kristina Henry said. “She works for it, and she deserves it. She’s by far the most dedicated player I’ve been around.
“She works on her game every day — on her own, in practice in the gym. She’s never had a big head about her. In practice, she’s the first one to go and pick up balls or pick up equipment.”
Estrada said one of her goals was to get her Lady Tigers teammates more involved and share the scoring load. She did that, recording a team-high 24 assists to go with her goals.
“Tayler Estrada is explosive, she’s fast and she’s very technical,” said Springdale High coach Franklin Jennings. “She has a knack for scoring goals, and her vision and decision-making skills are impeccable. I love to watch her play the game.”
Estrada, as well as winners in the other 49 states and the District of Columbia, are eligible to be named the national girls soccer player of the year by Gatorade. That award will be named later this month.