Liberal’s Moncayo voted top WAC player

Suain Moncayo of Liberal has been on the varsity roster of the Liberal Redskins since his freshman season, having made contributions even then in his rookie high school season.

During his four years with the Redskins, Moncayo has seen his team have a credible amount of success and enjoying one of the program’s best seasons in recent memory during his 2024 senior season.

The WAC coaches voted Moncayo the Player of the Year as the forward has been instrumental in the team’s regular-season success and a run in the Class 6A postseason.

Moncayo, who plays an attacker on offense, racking up 27 goals this season to go along with 6 assists. He now is the school’s all-time leading goal scorer (71) and holds a single-game record of scoring 7 goals against Hesston on Oct. 10.

On learning about the WAC Player of the Year award, Moncayo responded in much the humble way he responds to other things.

“This means a lot to me and when coach (Carlos Ruiz) told me I didn’t know what to say,” Moncayo said. “I couldn’t believe it. There was shock, but also happiness.”

Moncayo’s Liberal team enjoyed its best season since Ruiz became head coach during Moncayo’s freshman season (2021) as they finished 13-5-1 and reached the Class 6A quarterfinals before being ousted by Topeka-Washburn Rural in the quarterfinals.

“It (winning the award) was a big surprise because Dodge City won the WAC and I just thought somebody from Dodge would win,” Moncayo said. “I feel like that putting in work during the summer and getting stronger and more healthy contributed to what success I had.”

But Moncayo is more about the team’s success than he is about his own personal accomplishments.

“I think my work ethic and trying to be a good teammate are things I’m proud of,” Moncayo said. “Being in the middle gives you one perspective on how the game can be played, but being on the sidelines some and watching also helps. It’s a big field and learning how to work with our formations is important to our success.”

Moncayo credits Ruiz for bringing a hard work ethic to the team’s success during his four-year career with the Redskins.

“His philosophy is about loyalty and bringing us together,” Moncayo said. “We all had one plan and we stuck to it.”

While he was pleased with the team reaching the state quarterfinals, Moncayo said he was hoping for more.

“I really  wanted to make the semifinals for state,” Moncayo said. “Every good thing has an ending. We weren’t satisfied but I’m okay with it because I know when tried and played our best.”

Moncayo said he has had contacts from coaches at different levels but will wait until next spring to make his decision on where he wants to attend college and play.

“I know I’d like to see if I can play at the biggest level,” Moncayo said. “I’ve had a number of schools recruiting but nothing is set.”

Moncayo’s eyes on the future beyond soccer include possibly being an electrical engineer, or being a physical education teacher while also coaching.

“I’m just waiting to see what the recruiting looks like before making a decision,” Moncayo said.

His coach had nothing but high praise for his leading attacker.

“I’ve gotten close to Suain and the other seniors since they were my first class when I got here,” Ruiz said. “That group won 5 games their freshman year and now we had one of the best records in school history.

“I’ve seen the maturity and growth in Suain and he’s become a very good leader both on and off the field,” Ruiz said. “It’s a reflection of the quality individual he has become.”

WAC ALL CONFERENCE BOYS SOCCER TEAM
2024 – Dodge City (8-0)

First Team Selections
NAME SCHOOL YEAR
1 Zahit Garibay Dodge City 12
2 Mario Olivares Dodge City 12
3 Tristan Contreras Dodge City 12
4 *Suain Moncayo Liberal 12
5 Giezi Gonzalez Liberal 12
6 Joshua Garcia Liberal 11
7 Eli Arriola Garden City 12
8 Ezayen Deatherage Garden City 12
9 Cooper Johnson Hays 12
10 Jalen Smith Hays 12
11 Alex Alonzo Great Bend 11
*Indicates Player of the Year
Second Team Selections
1 Yair Vasquez Dodge City 12
2 Eduardo Solis Dodge City 12
3 Josue Gallegos Dodge City 12
4 Gael Ruvalcaba Liberal 12
5 Jayden Gonzalez Liberal 12
6 Tristan Bernal Garden City 12
7 Alfonso De La Rosa Garden City 11
8 Kenneth Fisher Hays 12
9 Mason Schleicher Hays 12
10 Ricardo Cruz Great Bend 10
11 Eli Contreras Great Bend 11

Coach of the Year   School  
Saul Hernandez  Dodge City