By Matt Browning

Alyssa Rowland of Derby was the second leading vote getter in the Wichita Large School Girls Soccer Preseason Player of the Year poll. Rowland received nearly 20,000 votes, which was over 31 percent of the overall vote.

“To get that many votes means a lot to me, it shows that I have a lot of support in the Derby community and just overall,” Rowland said. “There were a lot of talented girls on that list and to be in the top section meant a lot to me.”

Rowland was a first team all-league forward as a sophomore in 2019, but sadly, she tore her ACL and meniscus shortly before the season started this year. However, that does not alter her vision for the Panthers this season.

“I had a list of goals for myself last season and was hoping to get them done this season, sadly I have a different route for myself,” Rowland said. “The main goal for the team overall is to score goals and win, win, win.”

Rowland will continue her rehabilitation in the coming months as she prepares for her college career at Newman University.

“I can’t wait to start that new chapter in my life,” Rowland said.