All posts by Chace Hutchison

We are entering into the final stages of the 2021 season, and it has been a wonderful experience. While it has been a joy to watch the sport all season long, this is the time of year when it really matters. The energy and anticipation is almost overwhelming for soccer fans such as ourselves.  The district pairings have been released by the NSAA, and the process of establishing a state field is underway. Nebraska Soccer Talk gives our thoughts and analysis on the district/sub-district match-ups.

A-1

• Southwest is undefeated for a reason, they are extremely talented and have a championship mindset. This is a squad that is filled with quality at every level. The Silverhawks have played a challenging schedule, defeating every opponent on their quest for perfection. They are the favorite here, but it will be no sure thing.
• A huge percentage of Millard West’s starting lineup has been occupied by freshmen and sophomore players. They have battled all season long, learning many lessons along the way. With a full regular season of experience, can this be a coming of age moment?

A-2

• Gretna is our current #1, they have earned that ranking again and again. The Dragons have perhaps the best player in the state occupying midfield, Sarah Weber is that good. Not to be outdone, her teammates have proven themselves to be of high quality as well. Talent is amazing, but what truly sets this team apart is their championship mentality.
• Gretna’s path to Morrison will not be a cakewalk. Millard North features several division one talents that have the potential to take over a game. The Mustangs need to provide more of a supporting cast, but the potential is there.
• Omaha Central will have something to say in this one, and they will not go quietly. The Eagles will be a difficult opponent.

A-3

• With the return of Haley Peterson, a top talent in the state, Lincoln East will be back to almost full strength. When healthy, this team jumps into the #1 ranking argument.
• Elkhorn South and Millard South have both won consistently when facing teams of equal or less talent. However, a new level will need to be found if they wish to keep playing in 2021. Both squads are capable of winning the group, but it will take being great at the details to pull it off.

A-4

• Love the resiliency of the Lady Bulldog program. After a tough start, they have rallied to finish the season with only one loss in their final twelve games. Gracie Haneborg is a division one talent, that would be well known if she played in the Lincoln or Omaha area.
• Wins over Omaha Mercy and Lincoln Southeast demonstrate the potential of Lincoln Pius X. They have a chance to advance from this group.

A-5

• During the first half of the season PL South was an overwhelming force with an 8-0 start. Then Allie Napora goes down and the impact has been significant. The remaining roster is very talented, but may be a year or two off from true title contention.
• Columbus entered out Top 10 in recent weeks and has proven to be a very solid squad. It will be a tough task, but their chances look promising.

A-6

• Group A-6 looks fun and could be full of surprises. Omaha Marian and Lincoln Southeast are the most likely to advance but that championship game is an absolute toss up.

A-7 

• My belief in Kearney is strong, something about that program generates a lot of optimism with me. They are solid in every aspect of the game which makes them a very difficult opponent.
• Advancement to the state tournament for Papillion-La Vista would be a very unsurprising result from this group. This is perhaps as close as you can get in terms of quality between a one and a two seed.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

We are entering into the final stages of the 2021 season, and it has been a wonderful experience. While it has been a joy to watch the sport all season long, this is the time of year when it really matters. The energy and anticipation is almost overwhelming for soccer fans such as ourselves.  The district pairings have been released by the NSAA and the process of establishing a state field is underway. Nebraska Soccer Talk gives our thoughts and analysis on the district/sub-district match-ups.

B-1

• Honestly, who knows how this district will end up? Conestoga is the #1 seed but has a record of 6-6.
• Probably three of these teams have a legitimate shot at winning this group. Their reward? The opportunity to play Omaha Skutt.

B-2

• Omaha Mercy has been a top three team all season, so they should handle this district. Victories versus Bennington, Blair, Omaha South, and Omaha Burke give backing to our assumption. Omaha Skutt is still the overall favorite this season, but Mercy will presumably get their shot.
• Gross Catholic will be the biggest challenger to Mercy. These two teams played one another during the regular season, it resulted in a 2-1 win for Mercy.

B-3

• Man oh man, this B-3 district will have the opinions of soccer observers going all of the place. Four teams are threats, all garner legitimate discussion.
• Duchesne should survive and advance, but this road will not be easy.
• There is an argument to be made that the most dangerous second, third, and fourth seed are all located in the same group.
• In almost any other group, I like Blair. Tough deal here, but they may be able to pull this off.

B-4 

• Waverly has had a very nice season, full of positive moments and play. We really like the direction of this program.
• Solid first year for Elkhorn North, they have laid down a good foundation for the future.
• Hanna King has a big soccer future, she will try to prolong her high school career but it will take her best work.
• A lot of positives in the statements above, those teams deserve the acknowledgement. With those things being established, Omaha Skutt will have to beat themselves for them not to win this group.

B-5 

• Columbus Scotus has been playing well as they advanced through the season. They earned a spot in our Top 10 and should advance out of this group. Although, the final could be a fun match-up.
• The possibility of a Columbus rivalry game in the finals brings interest to B-5.

B-6

• Norris will look to keep the dream alive, but the road ahead will have its challenges. Talents such as Reese Borer and Hannah Schroeder will be relied upon. A storybook season for the Titans, now its time to write a beautiful ending.
• Lincoln Lutheran/Raymond Central enters sub-districts with just two loses on the season and a second seed classification. They look like a state caliber team, however Norris would be the biggest obstacle they have faced this season.

B-7

• Aurora at 9-6 and Northwest at 8-7 are about as equal as it gets. They should both make it to the championship game, from there it is a toss up. These two teams have competed against each other twice already, Aurora winning both. On paper that seems to indicate and edge for them. However, it can be very difficult to beat the same opponent three teams in one season.

B-8

• This district should come down to Scottsbluff and Lexington in the finals. If that is the match-up, Lexington should come out on top. The turnaround and buildup of that program is a remarkable story. No matter the result, congratulations to that staff and the players.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

At Nebraska Soccer Talk, we love covering everything soccer related. For the most part, that means covering games and providing analysis/opinions. However, our overall mission and purpose is far reaching and ambitious. Our goal is to bring the soccer community closer together through collaboration and communication.  There are countless people that deserve recognition for their efforts as a player, official, or coach. Throughout the season, we will be highlighting these individuals through our Get To Know Me articles.

This will be a series made up of three different components. All of which are meant to bring attention to the soccer community.

1. Get To Know Me (Coach Edition) – These individuals are responsible for building their programs, growing the game of soccer, and mentoring the next generation. We look forward to learning about their lives and philosophies.
2. Get To Know Me (Player Edition) – This article series will focus on high school juniors and seniors that have demonstrated themselves to be quality players and people. With these features, our community will learn about some of the most impressive players in the state.
3. Future of the Game – This article series will focus on the freshmen and sophomore classes. These are players that we will be covering for years to come.

Thank you to every individual that provided information for this idea. We appreciate your thoughtful and timely responses.

Ruby Kirk

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Patrick Kirk and Nancy Kirk

High School Soccer Team: Elkhorn South Girls Soccer Team

Position: Forward

Club Team: I play for Midwest Premier Academy on the 04 girls NPL team (shoutout coach Doug and Digger!)

Grade: I am currently a junior.

What is your favorite subject in school? Why? My favorite subject would have to be chemistry. Something about balancing equations is just fun for me.

What are your future plans? My future plan is to attend college and play division 1 soccer. The challenging part is finding the correct school!

Who’s your favorite soccer player and why?

My favorite soccer player would have to be Alex Morgan. She’s just been a huge inspiration to me since I was a young girl. I basically grew up watching her. I think she’s a great female icon for women of all ages. And she wears #13 (which is my number too.)

Throughout your high school career, you have undoubtedly learned many lessons and matured as a player. Based on those lessons and experiences, give three pieces of advice to your freshman self. 

I have learned so much and the three things I would say would be as follows:

• Hard work pays off, so if you’re always working your hardest and doing your best good things will come.
• You pave your own path for your future, so block out what others have to say.
• Being a good teammate is just as important as being a good player individually, so always make sure you’re on the same page as your peers.

Who has helped you become the player that you are today? How did they help you? Is there anything you would like to tell them?

There has honestly been too many people to count. All of my coaches, family, and friends have had huge impacts on me and my love for the game of soccer. The girls who I play with on my club team have definitely been the most impactful. Some of my teammates have been playing soccer with me since the age of 5. I wouldn’t give up the time spent with them for anything. I’ve learned so many lessons and shared tons of memories with those girls and they have not only made me the person I am today, but have also increased my love and skill in regards to soccer.

Could you see yourself coaching soccer someday? Is that a path that you are interested in following? If so, why?

I could definitely see myself coaching soccer one day. I plan to have kids and they will definitely be playing as soon as they can kick a ball, and I don’t think I’d mind being their coach too!

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

At Nebraska Soccer Talk, we love covering everything soccer related. For the most part, that means covering games and providing analysis/opinions. However, our overall mission and purpose is far reaching and ambitious. Our goal is to bring the soccer community closer together through collaboration and communication.  There are countless people that deserve recognition for their efforts as a player, official, or coach. Throughout the season, we will be highlighting these individuals through our Get To Know Me articles.

This will be a series made up of three different components. All of which are meant to bring attention to the soccer community.

1. Get To Know Me (Coach Edition) – These individuals are responsible for building their programs, growing the game of soccer, and mentoring the next generation. We look forward to learning about their lives and philosophies.
2. Get To Know Me (Player Edition) – This article series will focus on high school juniors and seniors that have demonstrated themselves to be quality players and people. With these features, our community will learn about some of the most impressive players in the state.
3. Future of the Game – This article series will focus on the freshmen and sophomore classes. These are players that we will be covering for years to come.

Thank you to every individual that provided information for this idea. We appreciate your thoughtful and timely responses.

Haley Peterson

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Pete and Andrea Peterson

High School Soccer Team: Lincoln East Girls Soccer

Position: Center Mid

Club Team: Villarreal Nebraska

Grade: Senior

What is your favorite subject in school? Why? My favorite subject is math because it’s challenging but I understand it and always has a right answer

What are your future plans?: Next year I will attend the University of Nebraska Lincoln to continue my academic and soccer career.

Who’s your favorite soccer player and why?

I don’t necessarily have a favorite player, but if I had to choose I would pick Mbappé. He is very fun to watch, plays with a lot of style, and is very skillful off the dribble.

Throughout your high school career, you have undoubtedly learned many lessons and matured as a player. Based on those lessons and experiences, give three pieces of advice to your freshman self.

Hard work pays off, put in the time and make yourself better every day. Believe in
yourself. Live in the moment and do not take anything for granted.

Who has helped you become the player that you are today? How did they help you? Is there anything you would like to tell them?

There are many people who have helped me to get to where I am today like my past
teammates and coaches. One person that always comes to mind is my old coach, Jo Rosenberger, not only did she teach me so much about the game of soccer, but she
taught me the importance of hard work and practice. She always challenged me to be
the best I could be and then some. I would like to thank her for helping shape me into
the player I have come to be.

Could you see yourself coaching soccer someday? Is that a path that you are interested in following? If so, why?

I could see myself coaching someday. Soccer is something I am really passionate about, and I want to share that with others. I have thought about coaching one day because of how big of an impact my coaches have had on me.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

• The rise of Beatrice has been one of the top stories of the season. The Orangemen are 10-2 and have eyes set on Morrison. Last time we saw this program, they won two games throughout the ENTIRE 2019 season. This is a dream first season for Coach Henning.
• The Bennington Badgers have been on a roll during the 2021 season. Kai Olbrich and Oliver Benson have been a terrific attacking duo. Big upcoming game to finish the season versus Blair.
• NEST was high on the Blair Bears before the season and that faith has been awarded. They are 8-3 as of Monday night and look to secure a top place in districts. With that being said, a signature win would help elevate them to true contender status.
• Logan Hanigan is having a very good junior campaign for Elkhorn North. Hanigan is a fluid, fast, and physically imposing forward prospect.
• The consolidation of the two Grand Island programs into GI Northwest has paid off this season. Northwest is 6-3 with good wins over Scottsbluff and Aurora. Schuyler and Crete are yet to come on the schedule.
• Omaha Skutt and Lexington continue to show their dominance atop Class B. There are other quality teams, but these two are fantastic. Both squads have star power, organization, and depth. An additional congratulations to the four Omaha Skutt senior captains as all four decided to continue their soccer future at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

• Aurora is a team that should be taken seriously by the state as we edge closer to post-season play. It is not unreasonable to predict five to six more wins to close out the regular season.
• With two overtime games in a row, the Bennington Badgers need to rest up for the final stretch of the season. Contests against Waverly, Omaha Skutt, and Blair will be a great measuring stick for this program. They have proven to be a solid squad, can they take it to the next level?
• A three game win streak has propelled Columbus Scotus into our Top 10 rankings. They are still in search of a high level win but this program is heading in the right direction.
• Lexington is a team to watch during the last portion of the season. The turnaround and upgraded competitiveness is truly a fun story line to cover.
• Sierra Springer and Lauren Stull have paired up to vault Lincoln Lutheran/Raymond Central to a 9-1 record. A close loss to Omaha Mercy hurt, but also provided validation. Games against Norris and Aurora will be huge opportunities to showcase this team.
• The dream season for Norris is still rolling as they remain undefeated at the moment. Is this the new norm for the Titan program? All signs point to yes as spectacular sophomore Reese Borer will be returning for two more years.
• Omaha Skutt, Omaha Duchesne, and Omaha Mercy were the top three teams to begin the season and they remain there, nearing the end. Class B girls is perhaps the most competitive class this year, and it will be fun to observe the ending.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

• Gretna has quality all over the field; it is truly difficult to find a weak spot in this squad. That depth is playing a factor in the 12-1 record for the Dragons.
• Lincoln Southwest has the genuine ability to win the title this year. The only undefeated team left in Class A boys, has earned their front-runner status. Wins over Grand Island, Millard West, Lincoln High, Omaha Skutt, and Kearney catch your attention rather quickly. Braden Lackey and Eli Rhodes are studs for this program.
• The mighty can falter, but they rarely fall completely. Thus is the case with Omaha South as they suffered their first loss of the season against Creighton Prep. The Packers quickly bounced back with a comfortable victory over Omaha Westside. Packers are 10-1 this season.
• Creighton Prep has been a tough team to understand during the 2021 season. A traditional powerhouse with undeniable talent and tradition, the Jr. Jays will always be in the title conversation. A 8-4 record is good, but looking deeper adds a bit of concern. Four overtimes and two additional shootouts mean that the margin between victory and defeat has been razor thin for this program. They are a Top 10 team, but Top 5 is up for debate.
• Lincoln East is a contender, but can they truly make post-season noise? Would love to see them collect a top tier victory in the near future. An upcoming game against Kearney High will be a big opportunity.
• Coach Sean Murphy and the Fremont Tigers have a bright future ahead. A 5-6 record on the surface does not bring rave reviews. However, if one examines the circumstances, our optimism makes sense. This is an incredibly young team that is building a foundation as they gain Class A soccer experience. Caleb Kirby will be a goalkeeping name to know for the future.
• The Millard South boys are making their coach’s last year one to remember. Jim Cooney is set to retire after this season after a storied career with the program. The Patriots sit at 8-4 and have legitimate post-season hopes.
• Coach Juan Aguirre has Millard West on the cusp of a state birth. The Wildcats are building back their title reputation after a few years adrift.
• The season started a tad rough for Grand Island with consecutive defeats to Lincoln Southwest, Lincoln East, and Omaha South. Despite the 0-3 start, our belief in GI remained high. The Islanders have found their winning ways with six victories in the last seven games.
• Lincoln High is my dark horse to make it to state this season. They will most likely be a #2 or #3 seed during districts, but they will be a team that no one wants to play. It helps to have a superb talent like Ian Becerra on the roster.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

• Gretna is our new #1, a ranking in which they have absolutely earned. So far they have been dominate versus even the best of competition. This is well-rounded and quality squad that is anchored by a few of the best players in the state.
• Lincoln Southwest remains undefeated and on the climb during the 2021 season. In all three overtime experiences, the Spartans have come out on top. Wins over Millard West, Omaha Marian, Kearney and Lincoln East demonstrate that this team is for real.
• North Platte is a new team on the scene thanks in large part to all-star talent, Gracie Haneborg. The Lady Bulldogs have an eight game win streak, including a victory over Class B number one Omaha Skutt. A 2-3 start could have derailed the season, however this team has shown a great deal of resilience and spirit.
• Recognition is in order for Omaha Central as they continue to put together a very solid season. This program’s journey has been fun to observe from the outside. A big game is upcoming as the Eagles take on Millard North.
• Besides their first contest of the season, Columbus High has looked like a Top 10 program. However, they are in need of a top tier win to solidified themselves as a true contender.
• Lincoln East has been without two of their top players in recent weeks. One player was out due to quarantine, the other will not be returning from a knee injury. Even with that adversity, this team continues to fight and win as they march towards Morrison. An upcoming match against North Platte will be huge for both sides.
• The loss of Allie Napora cannot be overstated for Papillion-La Vista South. With her, the Titans flew out to an 8-0 record in what appeared to be a dream season. Without her, the last three games have gone the other direction. The adjustment will take time, but do not count out the Titans. There is a ton of young talent still occupying the roster.
• A 7-4 record is obviously respectable for any program at this point in the season. In Kearney’s case though, it is important to examine even deeper. All four loses have come against quality sides and by one goal a piece. This team is close and could be a problem for the opposition during the coming weeks.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

This list was developed while considering many different factors including program track records, recommendations from coaches, game observations, and roster strength. With that being said, much of this is subjective and opinions can vary. To the best of our ability, these rankings will reflect the reality of the soccer environment. Adjustments will be made as the season progresses and many conversations will take place. We look forward to those discussions.

Also, included in each article is a section titled Teams on the Verge. These teams ranked just outside our Top 10 but are considered to be in contention. The rankings are fluid and flexible; any team could quickly enter our Top 10 list.

Class B Boys Top 10 Ranking

1. Omaha Skutt (11-1)
2. Lexington (12-1)
3. Bennington (12-2)
4. Beatrice (10-2)
5. GI Northwest (6-3)
6. Blair (8-2)
7. Crete (5-5)
8. Schuyler (8-4)
9. Mount Michael Benedictine (6-4)
10. Waverly (6-5)

Teams on the Verge: Conestoga, Kearney Catholic, Platteview, Scottsbluff, Norris, South Sioux City

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison

This list was developed while considering many different factors including program track records, recommendations from coaches, game observations, and roster strength. With that being said, much of this is subjective and opinions can vary. To the best of our ability, these rankings will reflect the reality of the soccer environment. Adjustments will be made as the season progresses and many conversations will take place. We look forward to those discussions.

Also, included in each article is a section titled Teams on the Verge. These teams ranked just outside our Top 10 but are considered to be in contention. The rankings are fluid and flexible; any team could quickly enter our Top 10 list.

Class B Girls Top 10 Ranking

1. Omaha Skutt (10-1)
2. Omaha Duchesne (9-2)
3. Omaha Mercy (9-2)
4. Norris (11-0)
5. Blair (8-3)
6. Lincoln Lutheran/Raymond Central (8-1)
7. Bennington (8-4)
8. Elkhorn (5-4)
9. Aurora (7-3)
10. Columbus Scotus (6-3)

Teams on the Verge: Conestoga, GI Northwest

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast.

Chace Hutchison