By LIONEL TIPTON

WICHITA, Kansas – Playing for the final time as high school soccer teammates, sisters Kyia and Nevaeh Kelly created a lasting memory Saturday.

They scored both of Rose Hill’s goals in the Rockets’ 2-1 victory over Louisburg in the Class 4-1A third-place match.

Trailing 1-0 after the Wildcats scored in the fifth minute, junior Kyia scored an unassisted equalizer in the 10th minute.

It remained tied until the 69th minute, late in the second half. A free kick resulted from a Louisburg foul. Rockets senior Paige Winter took the kick from nearly the same angle as a corner kick to the goalkeeper’s right, sending the ball toward the net.

Nevaeh, a senior, was in the right place at the right time to deflect it off her right shoulder past Wildcats senior goalkeeper Allison Brown.

“Paige kicked it, and it kind of went over Ava’s (Markley) head, and then I hit it between my shoulder and my head, and it went in,” Nevaeh said.

Definitely one for her senior scrapbook.

“I was really excited, especially since my sister got the other one,” Nevaeh said. “I was like so happy, and it made us go up by one. So, it was very nerve-racking and exciting.”

Rose Hill coach Shelby Kaba said he’s been fortunate to have the sisters.

“They’re fantastic players,” he said.

Even though this sister act has come to an end at Rose Hill, Nevaeh will be heading to Hutchinson Community College to play soccer next year. That will allow her to return to Butler County at least once to face the Grizzlies.

Nevaeh said the friendships she has made playing for Rose Hill have been truly special.

“How our coach has brought us closer together, just how everybody gets along,” she said.

For the Kelly family to get both goals makes it ever more special, Nevaeh said.

“It’s kind of cool, because it’s my last year playing with (Kyia), so it’s awesome that we both got the goals on our last game together,” she said.

Kyia said she was thrilled to see Nevaeh get the game-winner.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “I love it when (Nevaeh) and I can just come out and make a change.”

Kyia said she will miss the seniors but is ready to take her turn as a senior leader.

“It’s going to be really different without her (Nevaeh) and all the seniors next year,” Kyia said.

The game-winner provided an enduring senior memory for both Nevaeh Kelly and Winter.

“Ending with a win is pretty good in my book,” Winter said.

Winter said she has a lot to treasure for her high school career.

“A lot of different players I got to play with; everybody’s family to me,” she said. “I’m excited to see what’s next in my life.”

What’s next will be competing in soccer at Nebraska-Kearney, an NCAA Division II school.

Kaba got his first State trophy as a head coach after the Rockets fell in the 2024 third-place match.

He said that after coming up short in Wednesday’s semifinal to Bishop Miege, it was nice to get the trophy this year.

“Our focus in this game was to get the win and get third place,” he said. “We’ve broken records this year in scoring; we tied the best finish ever (of) third in State; we tied for the most wins in a season, so … a lot of program ‘firsts,’ and it was fantastic to watch them all season – after a grueling season.

“I am pleased with everything. We played a tough schedule, tough competition, and I feel like we’ve come out a better team because of it.”

Rose Hill (16-5), making its second straight 4-1A semifinals appearance, came away with what could be called the “Public School” title this year. The Rockets were in a similar situation a year ago but fell to McPherson, 2-1, in the third-place match.

As was the case last year, Rose Hill was matched against eight-time champion Bishop Miege in this year’s semifinals. Miege won that match, 2-1, last Wednesday.

Miege (16-5) captured its ninth straight 4-1A crown but had to go two overtimes to defeat Topeka Hayden (13-8), 2-1, in a battle of Catholic private schools. Coincidentally, Hayden was the last team to win a 4-1A title other than Miege, in 2016 (No championship was held in 2020 because of COVID). It was also a Catholic school battle last year in the final when Miege defeated Cair Paravel, 1-0 in two overtimes.

But this year, the Rockets emerged as the best 4-1A public school.

Louisburg (16-4) was making its first appearance in the 4-1A semifinals since 2021. The Wildcats also advanced to the final four each year from 2017-19.

Graduation will take a large chunk of Rose Hill’s firepower this year. In addition to Nevaeh Kelly and Winter, forward Ava Markley will be leaving. She has been one of the busiest Rockets on the final day of soccer, shuttling between Stryker Sports Complex and Cessna Stadium for state track both years, where she competed in hurdles as well as the 4×4 relay.

Midfielder Ella Swearingen is another senior who has been a big contributor over the years for Rose Hill.

“We’re losing five seniors, four first-team all-leaguers, and my hope is that all four make first-team all-State,” Kaba said. “It’s going to be tough to replace, but we’ve got some good freshmen and some eighth-graders coming up next year, so my hope is we just keep reloading and doing it, over and over again.”

But Kaba will have a good foundation returning, led by Kyia Kelly and goalkeeper Raymie Kroeker, who stopped four of five Louisburg shots on goal in the match.

“She’s fantastic,” Kaba said of Kroeker. “We actually weren’t sure at the beginning of the season if she was going to play softball or soccer, and there was some talk about her doing both. Losing Abby (McCulloch), we needed that keeper, and she just came out and exceeded expectations (and) played fantastic.”

Nevaeh’s goal was a welcome sight for Kroeker, she said.

“I’m really thankful for her,” Kroeker said. “There’s a lot of pressure back there, and (the goal) took the pressure off.”

Both Nevaeh and Kyia are special players, Kroeker said.

“They bring a lot to our team and help our offense out a lot,” she said. “And in the back, (defender) Nevaeh helps me a lot back there.”

As for Kroeker, she’s just getting started, and she said the older teammates have helped her adjust.

“They’ve all been very accommodating and helped me through this season,” she said. “I’m very thankful for Nevaeh helping me in the back and leading everyone.”

She allowed the Wildcats’ lone goal to senior Rowan Yows in the fifth minute off an assist from freshman Cora Roche, then slammed the door the rest of the way, coming up big after the Rockets took the lead.

Class 4-1A third-place match

Rose Hill 2, Louisburg 1

Rose Hill 1 1 – 2

Louisburg 1 0 – 1

Scoring

First half: 1. Louisburg, Yows (Roche), fifth minute. 2. Rose Hill, K. Kelly (unassisted), 10th minute.

Second half: 4. Rose Hill, N. Kelly (Winter), 69th minute.

Shots: Rose Hill on Brown, eight shots, six saves. Louisburg on Kroeker, five shots, four saves.