Tag Hastings College

Previewing an upcoming season is never an easy task. To do so properly takes countless hours of emails, observations, statistical research, conversation, and reflection. Adding onto that difficulty are challenges, such as a cancelled 2020 season and lingering COVID restrictions, making our preview preparation feel almost impossible.

Despite these obstacles, the approaching 2021 season and its participants – whether that be players, coaches, fans, or families – deserve some semblance of normalcy. Soccer in Nebraska and all those who participate deserve to be promoted. Over the course of four articles, NEST will recognize many outstanding athletes that everyone should look forward to seeing on the pitch.

This list was put together using several resources such as coach recommendations, past all-state lists, statistical analysis from previous seasons, and observational research. The inclusions vary greatly in terms of location, age, and future plans. The listed athletes live in every corner of the state from Omaha to Scottsbluff. Many have signed or are committed to play soccer at the Division I level, while others are pursuing other interests in the future.

Even so, there are two traits that all inclusions of the inaugural NEST Players to Watch preview have in common.

1. Show stopping and jaw dropping ability on the field.
2. An admirable love for the sport of soccer. With their ability, passion, and outreach, this game will grow; that is the ultimate goal of Nebraska Soccer Talk.

A special congratulations to all of the athletes. Your hard work, skill, and dedication deserve to be recognized. Nebraska Soccer Talk will be observing closely as your season and career progress.

Class B – Girls

Players are not ranked, instead listed alphabetically by first name.

1. Abbey Schwarz
   • High School: Omaha Roncalli
   • Class of 2021
   • Future Plans: University of Nebraska-Lincoln soccer signee
2. Cece Behrens
   • High School: Omaha Skutt
   • Class of 2021
   • Future Plans: University of Nebraska-Omaha soccer signee
3. Deja Daniels
   • High School: Bennington
   • Class of 2021
4. Ellie Hutsell
   • High School: Aurora
   • Class of 2022
5. Emma Caito
   • High School: Omaha Mercy
   • Class of 2021
   • Future Plans: University of Minessota State-Moorehead soccer signee
6. Emma Foote
   • High School: Scottsbluff
   • Class of 2021
   • Future Plans: Hastings College volleyball signee
7. Hanna King
   • High School: Elkhorn High
   • Class of 2021
   • Future Plans: South Dakota State University soccer signee
8. Jenna Hotovy
   • High School: Omaha Skutt
   • Class of 2021
   • Future Plans: South Dakota State University soccer signee
9. Lauren Stull
   • High School: Lincoln Lutheran/Raymond Central
   • Class of 2021
   • Future Plans: Hastings College soccer signee
10. Leah Rasmussen
    • High School: Waverly
    • Class of 2021
11. Madison Smith
    • High School: Omaha Duchesne
    • Class of 2021
    • Future Plans: Benedictine College
12. Mia Hurt
    • High School: Bennington
    • Class of 2022
13. Sydney Herren
    • High School: Omaha Gross Catholic
    • Class of 2021

Once again, congratulations to the above athletes for all of their accomplishments. Your future in the game of soccer is incredibly bright.

Additionally, it must be mentioned that this is not intended to be an all encompassing or complete list. There are a great number of talented soccer players in Nebraska that we have simply not discovered yet. As the 2021 season gets underway, those athletes will be seen and recognized. That is truly the whole point of Nebraska Soccer Talk.

If you are a soccer player or know of a soccer player that should be on our radar, feel free to contact us. NEST is always looking to cover more soccer and add to our lists.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of our 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 on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison

Although it is rarely covered by the traditional media giants of the state, Nebraska is filled with exciting and competitive collegiate soccer programs. In fact, Nebraska contains a grand total of THIRTY programs for men and women. Those thirty programs compete across a wide variety of collegiate levels including Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college.

Nebraska Soccer Talk is here to examine, cover, and promote all of these teams. This task has been made a bit more challenging by the circumstances created by COVID-19. Depending on the playing level, conference, and school, the season outlook changes drastically. Roster information can also be in flux, depending on the school. Despite these challenges, our staff attempted to put together the best program summaries possible. To our knowledge, we are the only outlet providing such coverage to our state’s college programs.

Just like Nebraska Soccer Talk, this column will grow and become more in depth as the years pass. In the future, we hope to provide sideline coverage of games, facility features, coach and player interviews. We look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community. The sport of soccer is growing in Nebraska, and we intend to see it thrive.

Disclaimer – In the making of this article, team websites and other research sources were utilized. Although we attempt to avoid them whenever possible, errors can occur. Please contact us directly with corrections.

Hastings College

Head Coach – Jade Ovendale

Assistant Coaches – Bruno Moreira & James Westfield

Mascot – Broncos

Nebraska Homegrown Players On Roster – 

• #3 Rilee Silvain – Fr – Omaha Marian – D
• #5 Katie Heller – Fr – Lincoln East – D
• #6 Hunter Reeves – Jr – Gretna High – F
• #8 Mackenzie McNeel – Fr – Elkhorn South – D
• #17 Ayden Ridder – Fr – Bennington – M
• #20 Miley Prine – Fr – Bennington – F
• #25 Eva Dunker – Fr – Blair – M
• #27 Kelsey Peterson – So – Omaha Roncalli – D
• #30 Sofia Gomez-Garcia – Fr – Columbus – M
• #32 Carolyn Hopkins – Sr – Lincoln East – D
• #34 Lancy Siefken – Fr – Papillion-La Vista South – F

11/31 = 35%

NEST Analysis – Hastings is a highly successful Nebraska based program that has elevated the sport with its wonderful showing on a yearly basis. With so many collegiate women’s programs within our borders, it can be difficult to rise above a crowded field. However, Hastings College has distanced itself from the field. Even better, this success has been accomplished with some of the best homegrown talent Nebraska has to offer. As of right now, 35% of the roster is made up of Nebrakans. The Broncos consistently find talent that fits their culture and buys into the program’s standard. Even more impressive is the fact that the head coaching position is rotating regularly. Credit must be given to the athletic department for seemingly always hitting a home run with their hires. Coach Ovendale is the latest to hold the post and have major success. The season has the Broncos in title contention yet again.

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 multiple 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 on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison

Although it is rarely covered by the traditional media giants of the state, Nebraska is filled with exciting and competitive collegiate soccer programs. In fact, Nebraska contains a grand total of THIRTY programs for men and women. Those thirty programs compete across a wide variety of collegiate levels including Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college.

Nebraska Soccer Talk is here to examine, cover, and promote all of these teams. This task has been made a bit more challenging by the circumstances created by COVID-19. Depending on the playing level, conference, and school, the season outlook changes drastically. Roster information can also be in flux, depending on the school. Despite these challenges, our staff attempted to put together the best program summaries possible. To our knowledge, we are the only outlet providing such coverage to our state’s college programs.

Just like Nebraska Soccer Talk, this column will grow and become more in depth as the years pass. In the future, we hope to provide sideline coverage of games, facility features, coach and player interviews. We look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community. The sport of soccer is growing in Nebraska, and we intend to see it thrive.

Disclaimer – In the making of this article, team websites and other research sources were utilized. Although we attempt to avoid them whenever possible, errors can occur. Please contact us directly with corrections.

Hastings College

Head Coach – Tim Bohnenkamp

Assistant Coaches – Cesar Herrera

Mascot – Broncos

Nebraska Homegrown Players On Roster –

• #11 Caleb Osmond – Jr – Lincoln North Star – F
• #14 Steven Castillo – So – Grand Island HS – Mid
• #18 Brendon Boatwright – Jr. – Papillion – LaVista HS – Def
• #25 Tyler Mase – Fr. – Omaha Burke – Mid
• #29 Miles Whitaker – Fr – Millard North – Def
• #32 Austin Uhlig – So – Millard North – GK
• #33 Kevin Toledo- Frutus – Jr – Lexington/CCC – Def

6/35 = 17%

NEST Analysis – One must look no further than Hastings’ jerseys to understand the standard of the program. Located just above the school logo are two stars: each representing a national championship. Its most recent championship campaign took place in 2016. Hastings has undoubtedly become the state’s most consistent and successful men’s soccer program year in and year out. Just last year, the Broncos were one victory away from adding a third star to their jersey. In his third year, Coach Bohnenkamp has put together a large and interesting roster. Like many NAIA schools, Hastings is fortunate that Nebraska is home to only two D1 soccer programs, both of which tend to recruit internationally.  Hastings always seems to capitalize on this situation by bringing in some of the best talent that Nebraska has to offer. Combining those high-level homegrown players with prospects from all over the world makes this squad a case study for success. Hastings College is an exciting program that we will look forward to covering. Any Nebraska team that produces championships, All-Americans, and professionals has our attention. 

Additionally, how sweet is this hype video?! This is what it takes to grow your brand and the game of soccer!

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, 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 multiple 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 on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison