NJCAA HALL OF FAME (November 10, 2022)

Cindy Benitez | Butler Community College (KS)

Cindy Benitez was a member of Butler Community College's women's soccer program from 2009-2010.  During two seasons with the Grizzlies, the Garden City, KS native was amongst the top-scoring players in the country.  

During Benitez's freshman campaign, she scored 38 goals and 23 assists across 22 games.  These marks placed Benitez at second and fifth on the national leaderboards, respectively.  That season, the Grizzlies finished with a 15-6-1 record, 10-2-0 in their region.  In the final NSCAA National Ranking, Butler was tabbed as the No. 12 team in the nation and reached the NJCAA Region 6 semifinals for the eighth consecutive year.  Benitez's postseason accolades included First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region 6, NSCAA Division I All-America First Team, and NJCAA Division I First Team All-America.  

In 2010, Benitez experienced even more success on the field.  The sophomore surpassed her previous goals mark by notching 45 across 19 games with nine assists.  By the end of the season, Benitez was second in the nation in goals scored and in points with 99.  The Grizzlies were able to capture a 15-5-0 overall record and a 10-2-0 region record.  Butler was tabbed as the No. 11 team in the country in the final NSCAA National Ranking.  Benitez led the Grizzlies to the NJCAA Region 6 Championship, before falling in overtime.  The 2010 Grizzlies also led the conference with a 3.23 GPA to capture their sixth academic conference championship while also being named NSCAA and NJCAA Team Academic Award winners.  Benitez replicated her freshman accolades becoming a two-time First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region 6, NSCAA Division I All-America First Team, and NJCAA Division I First Team All-America honoree.

Benitez's career totals of 83 goals and 198 points set career records for both Butler and the KJCCC.