Rising Star: Wichita North soccer looks to accomplish more in already historic season

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The 2021 season will go down in history for Wichita North soccer, completing an undefeated run in the City League to bring home the program’s first league title.

“It feels great to be the first team to take city here at North,” senior Ilian Martinez-Valenciana said. “It is history in the books for sure and I am very proud to be part of this team.”

For North Head Coach Curt Wullschleger, it’s an accomplishment nearly a decade in the making.

“It was incredible, it was something I have been trying to do for nine years as a coach and chasing it since 1994 as a player,” Wullschleger said.

North, now 15-1-1 on the season after beating Liberal 7-1 in the 6A Regional Quarterfinals Tuesday, boasts 17 seniors, many who have played together since they were little kids.

“The chemistry these guys have on and off the field is incredible,” Wullschleger said. “They play for one another; they like to be the assist as opposed to the person that tucks it into the net. They just look out for one another and they are a quality group of kids.”

Now North will look to bring home the program’s second state title.

“We knew we were capable of beating any team out here and we still are pretty confident that we can take it all the way,” senior Arturo Veliz said. “We have the whole city behind us ever since we won the league for the first time and we aren’t here to disappoint anyone.”

North will play the winner of Manhattan (10-5-1) and Wichita Heights (7-6-3) Thursday at home at 4.

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