January 8, 2022

By Fred Liggett

Only four MIAA Women’s Soccer players were named to the NCAA D-II 2021 All-American teams. Only one of the four was named All-America first team selection that honor belonging to Central Missouri’s Kassie Newsom. The honor coming back on December 15th was just the latest to be awarded to Newsome, a junior forward. Before the All-America honor Newsom was named the D-II Central Region Player of the Year which followed being named the MIAA Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

The honors continue to pile up for the 2018 Lee’s Summit West High graduate. Newsom led the UCM Jennies with 19 goals, 16 assists and 54 points in her 24 matches played during the 2021 season. Newsom’s assist and point totals were both program single season records while her 19 goals rank tied for second in UCM program history.

Lee’s Summit West Soccer Coach Shaun Owens has plenty to say about his former Titan star. Owens began by saying of Newsome “quite a young lady” adding Newsome “is very driven.” Owens has always noticed “her work ethic, goal setting and working on her own during the off season.”

LS West Soccer Coach Shaun Owens said of his six-year stint as head coach of the Titans, “Been blessed, had quality kids.” 2021 served as the final season for Owens in the role of head Titan as he plans to move to Florida later in the year.

Despite Newsome being away at Central Missouri Owens keeps up with his former star Titan as they “Chat at least once a month during the season.” In fact Owens will be seeing Newsom soon at her wedding planned for later this month. Not only is a wedding in the near future for Newsom but a new job as well. Newsome will be one of six new officers at the Lenexa, Kansas police department. Eventually Newsom’s goal is to work for the FBI.

Up next for Newsome is to be one of this year’s NCAA Division II All-Americans who will be formally recognized at the All-America ceremony and reception to be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at the United Soccer Coaches Convention. The ceremony and convention is being held in downtown Kansas City at the Bartle Hall Convention Center and the nearby T-Mobile Center Arena.