Dreher’s Kasey Parker wins second straight S.C. Gatorade Player of Year award

Dreher’s Kasey Parker added another honor to her storied high school career.

For the second straight year, Parker was named the South Carolina Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year. She becomes the first repeat winner since J.L. Mann’s Stephanie DeVita won three in a row from 2010-12.

Parker is the third Midlands player to win the award, joining Lexington’s Kira Campbell (2007-08) and Richland Northeast’s Stacy Simpson (2002). Her award gives the Midlands a sweep in the state’s top honor. River Bluff’s Marcelo Malpartida was named the S.C. Gatorade Boys Player of the Year last week.

Parker scored 22 goals and had 10 assists this year after scoring 57 goals last year in helping Dreher to the Class 3A championship. She missed seven games because of a foot injury suffered against Academic Magnet on April 9.

The senior returned late in the season and had a goal and assist in the Blue Devils’ playoff opener against Chapman, but reinjured her leg during the game. Dreher lost to A.C. Flora in the third round of the playoffs.

“I know it had to be frustrating for her, being injured right toward the end of the season,” Dreher coach David Kleinfelder said. “But you wouldn’t have known it by the way she was at practice. She kept practice upbeat even when he got dinged up. She has quite a talent and effervescent personality, and she helps everyone else on the team.”

Kleinfelder also raved about her work ethic, which continued to get stronger even after she signed to play at North Carolina in February.

“She took a weight training class at the school, and one of the coaches said we wish all of our athletes would have this kind of attitude and work ethic,” he said. “After she signed at UNC, she worked harder than she ever did.”

“Goals didn’t come quite as easy for her this year with other teams marking her up even more. But she continued to work hard and improve her game.”

Parker finished her career with 155 goals and 37 assists and was a four-time all-state selection. She also carries a weighted-3.89 GPA and will be enrolling at UNC this summer.