STEVE CARPENTER
HutchCC Sports Information
Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer sophomore Esther Karhayu became the first Blue Dragon in five years to earn NJCAA All-America honors.
Karhayu was named 2020-21 NJCAA second-team All-American after leading the Blue Dragons in goals and total points in the just completed season.
The sophomore forward from Kenya is the first Blue Dragon All-American since Jordan Downing was named a second-team All-American in 2016. She is the 13th Blue Dragon in program history, which dates back to 2005, to earn NJCAA All-America honors.
Karhayu is one of four Jayhawk Conference players to be named All-American this season. Karhayu and Barton’s Seugli Lee were second-team selections. Coffeyville’s Louise Atkinson and Kansas City’s Corrine Hughes were honorable mention selections.
Named the Jayhawk West’s Offensive Player of the Year, first-team all-league and first-team All-Region VI earlier this month, Karhayu was Hutchinson’s top offensive threat this past season.
She scored nine goals and finished with 18 points. Karhayu had game-winning goals against Butler, Barton, Dodge City and a Region VI opening-round victory over Coffeyville. Karhayu had three two-goal games this season – those coming against Barton, Dodge City and the Region VI tournament win over Coffeyville.
Karhayu completed her Blue Dragon career with 22 goals, one assist and 45 points. Her 22 career goals ties her with Kayla Delzer for 16th on the Blue Dragon career goals list.
Hutchinson went 7-4-3 in the 2020-21 season.