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Before you start scrolling the list, please read the opening carefully.

First, not every senior is on this list.  There are several reasons behind this.  Some players I couldn’t find stats, accolades, or information on, but all of these seniors on this list are here because someone (the player themselves, their parents, their coaches, a teammate, and we even had another player’s parent reach out to make sure someone was included).  We did not leave anyone off on purpose.

The second piece, there may be some slight inaccuracies or missing information in this article.  I got my information from many different sources, including some sources that are not always correct (namely social media and MaxPreps statistics).  On top of that, no matter how hard I tried to log in and pay for a Lincoln Journal Star account (to access their postseason awards), their website wouldn’t accept any of my credit cards.  Local newspapers shouldn’t complain about their readership when they don’t have a functioning and easy website for readers to pay for access, but I digress.

Lastly, Chace and I enjoyed covering high school soccer immensely this season and we can’t wait to do an even better job next Spring.  We have been blessed to receive a little support from coaches and parents over the past two weeks, and we will thank them when the time is right, but we can also use more support.  We will be coming out with a Patreon account this summer, but if you would like to get the ball rolling on your support now you can visit our Nebraska Soccer Talk Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nebraska_talk.  

Any individuals that support us now, will be instantly included in the Patreon supporters group when we get it started and will receive benefits in line with their support!

Class A Boys – Senior Send-Off

Jayden Kreis – Goalkeeper, Papillion La Vista – Kreis was a 2-year starter for the Papillion La Vista Monarchs.  In that time, he compiled a 20-14 record with 10 shutouts.  Kreis is committed to Buena Vista University Soccer, a Division III school in Storm Lake, Iowa.  Omaha World Herald Class Honorable Mention.

Efren Flores – Goalkeeper, Millard South – The Patriots rode Cooney Magic and a solid goalkeeper (and captain) in Efren Flores to their first state tournament berth in many years.  Flores’ performances earned him a nod on the OWH Class A Second Team nod and a LJS Class A Honorable Mention. Flores is committed to Concordia (NE) University to continue his education and soccer career.

Alexander Arriola – Midfielder, Bellevue East – Arriola was captain of the Bellevue East Soccer and plays club soccer for Gretna Elite Academy.  Per his Twitter, Arriola has committed to continuing his career at Upper Iowa University Soccer, a Division II school in Fayette, Iowa.

Cole Lammel – Defender, Millard South – Lammel was a three-year member of the Millard South Patriots Varsity.  The Millard South squad made the 2021 State Tournament this year.  Lammel was named to the LJS Super State First Team and the Class A All State team.  Also named to the OWH First Team All Nebraska, First Team Class A, and First Team All-Metro.  Per his Twitter, Lammel will be joining Northwest Missouri State Football as a kicker/punter, Northwest Missouri State is a Division II powerhouse located in Maryville, Missouri.

 Nick Sells – Defender, Papillion La Vista – Sells appeared in the 35 matches in his career for the Papillion La Vista Monarchs.  He was a Class A Honorable Mention by the LJS and OWH.  He is continuing his soccer career at Carroll University, a Division III school in Waukesha, WI.

Patrick Long – Forward, Gretna – Long notched 7 goals and 2 assists (in 8 games) for Gretna High School en route to State Championship berth and a semifinal finish.  Goal of the season candidate against Bryan in District Finals.  Long is continuing his soccer career at Midland University.  Long earned Class A Honorable Mention honors from Omaha World Herald.  Long also picked up MVP honors from the SONE Senior Soccer Showcase.

Sam Sundstrom – Defender, Elkhorn South – Appeared in all 15 games for the Storm in the 2021 season, earned Class A Honorable Mention from LJS and second team all-metro from OWH.

Haider Al-Barakat – Forward, Lincoln East – Earned Class A Honorable Mention from LJS, Class A second team from OWH, and named to the 2020 Nebraska U18 Boys Best XI during the 2020 Nebraska State Cup.  Barakat notches 13 goals and 5 assists for the Lincoln East Spartans in the 2021 season.

Jacob Miller – Midfielder, Lincoln Southeast – Earned Class A Honorable Mention from LJS and OWH.  Notched 2 goals and 1 assist this season.  Helped lead Knights to 2021 Class A State Tournament.

Caden Linsea – Midfielder, Gretna – Linsea just committed his future to Nebraska Wesleyan University.  He was a member of a Gretna team that finished its season in the State Tournament Semi-Finals.  Caden plays his club soccer for Gretna Elite Academy.

Eli Rhodes – Midfielder, Lincoln Southwest – Rhodes, the scorer of one of the most dramatic goals in recent State Championship history, was named to the LJS Super State team, OWH All Nebraska First team, and Class A All-State team.  Eli finished high school with a 3.9 GPA, and finished this season with 15 goals and 16 assists.  Rhodes is headed to Dakota Wesleyan where he will continue his academic and soccer careers.

Cedar Moyer – Forward, Gretna – Moyer shared the points lead for Gretna, but led the Dragons in assists this year.  He helped the Dragons reach the State Tournament Semifinals, and his consistent performers put him in the LJS Super State Second Team, OWH All Nebraska Second Team, OWH All-Metro team as well as the Class A All-State Team.  Moyer has committed to continuing his education and his soccer career at NJCAA powerhouse, Iowa Western Community College.

Damien Tran – Midfielder, Lincoln Southeast – Tran earned Class A Honorable Mention from LJS and OWH, notching 1 goal and 1 assist and helping lead Lincoln Southeast to the 2021 State Tournament.  Tran plans to attend the University of Nebraska and study Pre-Medicine.

Emanuel “Wawa” Palga – Midfielder, Omaha South – One of the most interesting final games of a high school player’s career did not stop Wawa Palga from earning his proper place in the LJS Super State First Team and the Class A All State Team.  Palga also earned the prestigious award of captain of OWH All Nebraska First Team, and was named to the Class A and Metro first teams.  Wawa was one of the most entertaining players to watch in Nebraska Boys Soccer this year, stacking up 11 goals and 5 assists while dazzling fans with his skill and speed on the ball.  He is awaiting a D1 offer to play college soccer at the next level.

Kevin Becerril – Forward, Omaha South – Kevin Becerril led the front-line for the State Champion and nationally ranked Omaha South Packers.  Becerril combined consistent finishing skill with solid hold-up play to finish top in the state in goals, and second in the state in points.  Becerril’s performances netted him a spot on the LJS Super State First team, OWH All Nebraska 1st team, OWH First team all-Metro, as well as the Class A All State team.

Luis Garcia – Midfielder, Omaha South – Luis Garcia was a consistent performer for the State Champion Packers.  While he didn’t necessarily stack up the state-wide accolades (apart from his Class A Honorable Mention and Second Team All-Metro), he played an important midfield role for Omaha South.  He had 4 player of the game performances for Omaha South this season.

David Rojas – Midfielder, Omaha South – Rojas was my player to watch for the Packers before the State Championship game, and he ended up scoring a goal.  Rojas was an unsung player for the Packers for most of the season, but he had clutch moments when it mattered including earlier in the season versus Creighton Prep.  Rojas was a Class A Honorable Mention.

Ian Krenzer – Goalkeeper, Creighton Prep – Krenzer captained the Junior Jays to a 2021 State Semifinal appearance, and earned a spot as a LJS and OWH Class A Honorable Mention.  4.1 GPA, and missed only a couple games due to injury.  Krenzer plays club soccer for NFC, and plans to continue his education at University of Nebraska Lincoln for business.

Tristan Rainey – Defender, Omaha Northwest – LJS and OWH Class A All-State Honorable Mention.

Peyton Hylok – Defender, Papillion La Vista South – Hylok made his mark this season as a LJS and OWH Class A Honorable Mention and Co-Captain of Papillion La Vista South Boys Soccer.  Hylok is heading to the Kansas City area to continue his education and soccer career at Johnson County Community College.

Collin Manzano – Forward, North Platte – Manzano, the Southeast Community College soccer commit, scored 3 goals and dished out 6 assists for the North Platte Bulldogs.

Ian Becerra – Midfielder, Lincoln High – Becerra was a Class A All-State Selection by the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald.  This Spring, Becerra scored 9 goals and notched 5 assists.  Becerra is continuing his education and soccer career at Santa Rosa Junior College in California.  Along with being a stand out 4 year soccer player, Ian was also a four year letterwinner in Cross Country.  

Chance Hergott – Defender, Papillion La Vista South – Chance Hergott made the most of his senior season earning Academic All-State, as well as LJS and OWH All State Honorable Mention honors.  The athletic and talented left back is heading to Truman State University where he will study in business and compete for their soccer team.

Caden Tubaugh – Forward, Millard West – Tubaugh had a solid sophomore season, earning OWH Class A All State Honorable Mention, but his 2020-2021 year will be one for the books.  In 2020, Tubaugh won a State Cup with Gretna Elite Academy and committed his future to nationally-ranked NCAA Division II Maryville University.  This Spring, The 6’1” Tubaugh tallied 11 goals and 12 assists and played nearly every minute of every match, leading Millard West to a State Tournament appearance (where he netted against champions Omaha South in a losing effort).  He picked up postseason awards galore, including but not limited to LJS Super State, LJS Class A All State, OWH All Nebraska First team, OWH All-Metro first team, and Millard West Boys MVP.

Arturo Castro – Forward, Norfolk – LJS Class A All-State Honorable Mention.  Castro tallied 5 goals and 3 assists this season for the Panthers.

Jeff Sumaili – Midfielder, Omaha Burke – Sumaili netted 5 goals and 7 assists for the Burke Bulldogs, en route to LJS and OWH Class A All-State Honorable Mentions.

Ryan Brakke – Midfielder, Creighton Prep – Ryan Brakke, an LJS First Team Super State, OWH Class A First Team, OWH All Nebraska Second Team, and OWH All-Metro selection, helped lead the Junior Jays to a semifinal appearance in this spring’s state tournament.  Cited by his coach as both a tremendous leader and player, Brakke is staying in town and graduating from Junior Jay to Blue Jay.  The midfield standout has committed his future to the Creighton University soccer team.  Brakke plays club soccer for Sporting Omaha FC.

Soe She – Forward, Lincoln High – Soe is a young player who has persevered through some great adversity.  A Karen refugee, who lost his father at a young age, Soe She will be the first of his family to attend college when he attends Southeast Community College this Fall.  He plans to pursue a degree in electromechanical engineering.  Soe She is a talented soccer player, kind-hearted person, and always has a great attitude despite the challenges he has had to face.  We want to thank Janet Scott for sharing Soe’s story with us.

Anthony Acosta – Midfield, Grand Island – The midfielder from Grand Island helped lead his team to a State Tournament berth.  Next year, Acosta will continue his education and his soccer career at Dakota Wesleyan.  OWH Class A All State Honorable Mention

Caiden Lawn – Defender, Kearney – Defender Caiden Lawn was one of the veterans of a young Kearney Bearcat team.  Lawn was named LJS and OWH Class A All State Honorable Mention and earned Academic All-State Honors.  

Alex Eby – Defender, Papillion La Vista South – Eby was a 2021 OWH All-Nebraska, Class A, and all-Metro Second Team selection as well as being a LJS Class A All State Honorable Mention.

Cole Hoppe – Defender, Bellevue West –  Cole Hoppe was named all-state honorable mention as both a Sophomore and a Senior.  He was also named captain before the COVID-cancelled junior year and maintained that role for Bellevue West as a senior.  Hope is an incredible student, earning Academic All-State as a senior, a #1 Class Rank at Bellevue West, and a spot in the Bellevue West 30+ ACT Club.  He served as a DECA officer his junior and senior years.  Hoppe has committed to William Jewell College, where he will continue his soccer career and his education.  He plans to study Data Science and Statistics.

Martin Fuentes – Midfielder/Forward, Bellevue West – Fuentes was a 2021 LJS Class A All State Honorable Mention and a OWH All-Metro Second Team award winner.

Diego Salas – Forward, Grand Island – Salas, a LJS and OWH All State Honorable Mention, tallied 10 goals and 12 assists this season.  He helped the Islanders to a berth in the 2021 State Tournament. Salas is continuing his academic and soccer career at Southeast Community College.

Nolan Fuelberth – Goalkeeper, Lincoln Southwest – 2021 Super State Selection by LJS and All Nebraska First Team Selection by OWH, Fuelberth made 72 saves and only allowed 7 goals.  Nolan took Southwest to the brink of a State Championship game.  A goalkeeper with many strengths, Fuelberth is committed to Division I Northern Illinois.  Fuelberth was Nebraska Soccer Talk’s Class A Boys Player of the Year as well as the LJS player of the year and is one of the best players (if not the best) in the entire state.

Braden Lackey – Forward, Lincoln Southwest – Despite being surprisingly denied a spot on LJS’ Super State and OWH First teams, Lackey is one of the best goalscorers in the state earning all-state, all conference, and LSW golden boot honors.  Lackey also named to the OWH All-Nebraska second team.  The leading goal-scorer for Class A runner-ups Lincoln Southwest and the 3rd leading goalscorer in Class A, Lackey also showed he could be a provider, tallying 9 assists.  Lackey’s combination of size and skill caused problems for every defensive unit that had to deal with him.  Lackey completed a decorated youth and prep career where he succeeded at the high school, club, and ODP levels.  He was a constant presence on the Nebraska ODP squad.  He plays his club soccer for Gretna Elite Academy, where he was a part of the 2020 State Cup winning team and will travel to the Midwest Regional Championships this year.  Braden is heading to Doane University next Fall, where he will continue his soccer career and his education.

Carter Hinman – Forward, Gretna – Carter Hinman had himself a senior year, with a great memory that it was probably his goal that led to the fence-breaking celebrations in Gretna’s district final.  He notched 14 goals and 4 assists, as he helped Gretna to a semifinal finish in this year’s State Tournament.  His personal and team success was rewarded with a spot on the LJS Super State Second Team, OWH All Nebraska First Team, OWH All-Metro first team, as well as the Class A Boys All-State Team.  Carter is headed to Concordia (NE) University to continue his education and his soccer career.

Carter Novosad – Forward, Lincoln Southwest – Novosad, the 5’11” senior, was a part of the Class A Runners-up Lincoln Southwest.  Novosad, who netted 5 goals and 3 assists this season, is committed to continuing his education and his college soccer career at Drury University.

Johnny Le – Midfielder/Defender, Lincoln Southwest – Le was a part of the Class A Runners-up Lincoln Southwest.  He was a big contributor to what made the Lincoln side so difficult to score on all season.  Le is committed to continuing his education and soccer career at Drury University.

Clayton Monroe – Goalkeeper, Lincoln Southwest – In case you were wondering how loaded Lincoln Southwest was at goalkeeper, Monroe was the backup behind Division I commit Nolan Fuelberth.  Monroe, a Rockhurst University commitment himself, played his club soccer for Capital Soccer Association out of Lincoln.

Spencer Kaufman – Westside – The Westside Warrior and Sporting Omaha player is committed to continuing his education and soccer career at Concordia (NE) University.

Braeden Bestmann – Defender, Lincoln Southwest – Bestmann was a consistent and talented defensive presence for the Class A Runners Up, and he has been rewarded handsomely for his efforts.  The Lincoln Southwest captain was named LJS First Team Super State, LJS First Team Class A, OWH All Nebraska Second Team, and OWH Class A First Team.  Bestmann was also named Academic All-State.

Brage Sather-Larsen – Forward, Omaha Bryan – Sather-Larsen scored lots of goals and picked up lots of awards this year.  The 15-goal scorer was named to the OWH Class A Second Team, OWH All-Metro First Team, OWH All-Nebraska Second Team, LJS Super State Second Team, and LJS Class A All-State.  A fantastic season for the Bryan striker.

Payton King – Forward, Grand Island Northwest – King scored 5 goals and dished 2 assists this Spring.  Helped GINW to a state tournament berth, named 2nd team all-conference in the Central Conference. King participated in the CCC and SONE showcases and is currently contemplating an offer from Mount Marty University Men’s Soccer to continue his soccer and academic careers.

Chace and I enjoyed covering high school soccer immensely this season and we can’t wait to do an even better job next Spring.  We have been blessed to receive a little support from coaches and parents over the past two weeks, and we will thank them when the time is right, but we can also use more support.  We will be coming out with a Patreon account this summer, but if you would like to get the ball rolling on your support now you can visit our Nebraska Soccer Talk Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nebraska_talk. 

Joe Cleary

Class B Boys – Omaha Skutt vs. Lexington – Wednesday, May 19th @ 8:00 PM

Omaha Skutt Catholic – #1 Seed (20-1)

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated Platteview 10-0
• Semifinals – Defeated Bennington 3-1

Key Players

• #0 Zach Weis – Senior goalkeeper that has allowed just three goals in 21 appearances. The Nebraska Wesleyan commit is a leader in the net and a major impacter on the game. Weis has excellent hands, quality distribution, and the confidence to play keeper at a high level.
• #1 Andrew Davidson – Senior midfielder that controls the game from his central position. Davidson has accumulated 9 goals and 15 assists this season. He is a consistent threat that has scored or assisted in every game this season.
• #4 Caleb Vos – Another Nebraska Wesleyan commit. Vos will be taking his impressive footwork, motor, and soccer IQ to the next level. He is exciting to watch as he runs the lanes on the side of the field. 10 goals and 11 assists on the season.
• #10 John Meyers – Senior defender that has been a stable force on the backline. Meyers has partnered with his fellow defenders to allow only 3 goals this season.

Lexington – #2 Seed (20-1)

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated South Sioux City 2-0
• Semifinals – Defeated Mount Michael Benedictine 1-0

Key Players

• #9 Yoskar Galvan – Senior midfielder that committed to Iowa Western earlier this season. Galvan is a special kind of talent that can do it all with this pace and on-ball skill. Yoskar has 17 goals and 21 assists this season. He will have to be a major factor in this match in order to defeat Skutt.
• #10 Junior Casillias – Senior midfielder that is also an Iowa Western soccer commit. Casillias has been on our radar all season long. This is a player capable of changing the game at a moment’s notice. Junior is best when on the ball with an attacking mentality.

NEST Analysis: This game will feature two of the best possession teams that the state has to offer. Expect Skutt to come out fast in an attempt to speed up the pace of play. That has been their style all season long, it won’t change now. The Skyhawks are adept at pressing their opponents into a panic and making the most of the counterattacks. This team loves the over-the-top switch to their talented wingers. Lexington’s attack will determine the outcome of this game, they must find a way to score multiple goals against a team that has only allowed three all season. The Minutemen are capable of doing this with their confidence and flair. Lexington has and will continue to place an emphasis on its midfield play. Casillias and Galvan are given a lot of positional freedom within this scheme. The Lexington defense will presumably play with a deep-dropping sweeper type of center-back. That wrinkle that mystified opponents all season long.

Prediction: Lexington has a ton of talent and it’s great to see a Central Nebraska team on this stage. However, Omaha Skutt has been absolutely dominant all season. This one ends with a Skyhawk title. 3-1 Omaha Skutt

Class B Girls – Omaha Skutt vs. Norris – Wednesday, May 19th @ 5:00 PM

Omaha Skutt – #1 Seed (19-1)

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated Omaha Roncalli Catholic 7-1
• Semifinals – Defeated Lincoln Lutheran/Raymond Central 7-1

Key Players

• #6 Cady Bettsworth – Senior midfielder that is a do it all type of athlete. A determined presence in the midfield, Bettsworth will need to be a factor in this game. A stat line of 11 goals and 13 assists this season.
• #15 Kaeylyn Reeves – The senior forward is a Wayne State soccer commit. Safe to say, the Wildcats are getting a difference maker in the attack. 12 goals and 6 assists on the season, she will be looking to add a few more in the championship match.
• #19 Jenna Hotovy – Senior defender that is committed to play at South Dakota State. The Skyhawks have allowed 4 goals in all competitions, a lot of that credit has to go to Hotovy.
• #20 Cece Behrens – Senior forward that has been the Class B girls player of the year. Although there will be a ton of talent in this championship, Behrens will be the best amongst them. The future Omaha Maverick has 39 goals and 11 assists.

Norris – #2 Seed (20-0) 

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated Lexington 2-0
• Semifinals – Defeated Omaha Duchesne 4-2

Key Players

• #1 Kennedy Sullivan – A lot of worthy names on this squad, but time to pay attention to this FRESHMAN midfielder. Norris is here to stay due to their young core of talent. Sullivan has 12 goals and 12 assists on the season. She has risen to the occasion versus top teams.
• #3 Reese Borer – The sophomore midfielder has been an impact player all season long. She is a major part of the talented crop of players that have taken Norris to new heights. She will be a top player for years to come in the state of Nebraska. 17 goals with 5 assists this season.
• #5 Molly Ramsey – The senior three-sport star is an exciting athlete and overall story. She is the leader of this team as she brings a winner’s mentality to the field. Ramsey is a speedy forward that understands how to find the back of the net. Her 2021 stat line reads 19 goals and 6 assists.
• #10 Hanna Schroeder – Another senior attacker that has done her part in building this program. Schroeder has been impressive all year long with 14 goals and 8 assists.

NEST Analysis: The storyline for this match practically writes itself. A traditional powerhouse filled with division one talent seeks to add another trophy to the case. On the other side, the up-and-coming Norris Titans attempt to add an exclamation point to a dream season. This is a game that will potentially have a flurry of goals and fast-paced play. Cece Behrens and Molly Ramsey will star for their individual teams, which one will have the golden foot?

I expect Skutt to establish early momentum while Norris adjusts to this level of opposition. Norris will compete hard and it is essential for them to stay disciplined defensively.

Prediction: This one is going to be a great show to watch, and I am excited to see it all play out. The final scoreline will not represent the reality on the field. Omaha Skutt will be too consistent and take advantage of their chances late in the game. 4-2 Omaha Skutt.

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

Class A Boys – Lincoln Southwest vs. Omaha South – Tuesday, May 18th @ 8:00 PM

Lincoln Southwest – #1 Seed (17-0)

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated Grand Island 3-0
• Semifinals – Defeated Creighton Prep 1-0

Key Players

• #1 Nolan Fuelberth – Senior goalkeeper will have to live up to his shot-stopping reputation one final time. The Northern Illinois commit has been a record setter all season. A championship trophy would be an incredible ending to a wonderful career.
• #8 Eli Rhodes – Senior midfielder that controls the most critical part of the pitch. Rhodes has scored 13 goals and assisted 12 times this season. He is the engine of the squad.
• #11 Braden Lackey – Senior attacker that has accounted for 15 goals and 9 assists. He is a next level talent that has introduced himself to us this season.
• #17 Ramzy Hamouda – Senior attacker is perhaps the most explosive player on this team. Hamouda has the ability to take over a game; he could be the difference maker here. His stats are 8 goals and 5 assists.

Omaha South – #2 Seed (20-1)

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated Millard West 3-1
• Semifinals – Defeated Gretna 3-0

Key Players

• #9 Edwin Cisneros – Junior forward that has been impressive all season. To understand this talent, only a few clips of his highlights will be needed. Cisneros is a speedy and passionate player that has a certain edge to his game. He will be one to watch next season. He has 10 goals and 10 assists this year.
• #11 Emanuel Palga – Senior midfielder that was listed by us as a player to watch before the season started. Palga has lived up to that billing during the 2021 season. He will be an important factor versus Southwest. 10 goals and 5 assists this season.
• #14 Kevin Becceril – Senior midfielder that is a leading candidate for the boys player of the year. Becceril would add to an already impressive career with this championship. He has been practically unstoppable in front of goal with 25 goals and 4 assists.

NEST Analysis: The top two seeds will meet for what could be an epic match. This game has everything that a soccer supporter could ever want. High quality players will be all over the field, many of them are quite accustomed to putting on a show. Both teams will attack from the very start of the game and neither knows how to back down. Southwest will be attempting to complete its perfect season; this is the moment they have been waiting for. Omaha South continues its tradition of excellence with another trip to the promised land.

Prediction: Who knows about this one?!? I don’t believe anyone could tell you with 100% confidence the outcome of this game. However, this industry requires that I take a stand. If I am going to do that, it’s time to get specific. This game will need more than regulation to decide a champion. It will be 2-2 at the end of regular time, Southwest will score the deciding goal in the first overtime. Lincoln Southwest 3-2.

Class A Girls – Gretna vs. Millard North – Tuesday, May 18th @ 5:00 PM

Gretna – #2 Seed (20-1)

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated Kearney 4-1
• Semifinals – Defeated Lincoln East 2-1 SO

Key Players

• #3 Madelyn White – Sophomore attacker that has stood out in the most important of moments. White is a force on the side with a nonstop motor. She has scored 14 goals and assisted 16 times this year. With her, it looks like another division one prospect will be coming out of Gretna.
• #12 Savannah De Fini – Junior forward for the Dragons that will be at the top of our watch list next season. She has a special instinct for finding the back of the net. 23 goals and 16 assists for the 2021 season.
• #24 Sarah Weber – The senior star and record setter controls the midfield for the Dragons. She is the undisputed best player every time she steps on the field. Weber is the player of the year on the girls side with 47 goals (not a typo) and 29 assists (also not a typo).
• #25 Taylor Daffer – Defenders are not appreciated or recognized enough by the overall soccer community. So much of what they do is hard to quantify, yet so important. Daffer is a game changer and will be a wonderful addition to Creighton at the next level.

Millard North – #8 Seed (13-7) 

Road To The Finals

• Quarterfinals – Defeated #1 seed Lincoln Southwest 1-0 SO
• Semifinals – Defeated Omaha Marian 2-1

Key Players

• #7 Campbell Zimmers – Senior midfielder that has committed to play at South Dakota at the next level. She is one of the state’s best and a major reason why the Mustangs are in this position. Zimmers has 18 goals and 6 assists this season.
• #14 Sena Ahovissi – Senior forward for the Mustangs that has a few of the best highlights this year. However, her game is much more than those snap shots. Her on the ball skill and off ball movement set her apart. Sena has 18 goals and 2 assists to her name. She will need to find a few more in this last game.

NEST Analysis: A finals matchup involving teams with polar opposite stories. One expected to be in this game and the other had only themselves to rely upon. Anything less than a championship appearance would have been a disappointment for Gretna, we wrote as much at the beginning of the year. Those were lofty expectations but their talent dictated and eventually justified those statements. The Dragons delivered in style with their beautiful style of play and showmanship. They are going to be on the attack, expect a determined squad from the opening whistle.

On the other side of the pitch, perhaps a team of destiny. Hovering around the .500 mark all season, very few saw Millard North being in the championship game. To be here, the Mustangs had to defeat Gretna in the district finals which came down to a shootout. It took longer than most, but North has figured out their system and really come together as a team. Now it is time to stay disciplined and look for one of their top goal scorers to rise to the occasion.

Prediction: Millard North is such a wonderful story, and they have found a way over and over again. However, they just defeated Gretna, giving the Dragons an added sense of motivation. Gretna wins 3-1 with Sarah Weber getting 2 of those goals.

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.

A-1

• Entering as the only undefeated team, Lincoln Southwest has state title capabilities and aspirations. They are the favorite in this field and have plenty of talent to justify the #1 seed.
• Lincoln High and Papillion-La Vista South are dangerous middle seeds that could surprise many after they play one another. PLS has been up and down this season but are very good when clicking. A few complete games for this squad and they will find themselves at Morrison.
• I like Lincoln High to reach the final game in this district where they will presumably play Lincoln Southwest. There, the Links are certain to put up a fight as they have done all season versus good competition.

A-2

• It is expected that Omaha South will make a finals appearance in district A-2. Anything else would be a huge shock to the Nebraska soccer landscape. South is gaining a reputation as a second half team. Teams tend to keep it close during the first half, but eventually South’s talent takes over when it matters.
• Its a toss up between Elkhorn South and Millard North. Elkhorn South has experienced injury problems throughout the season, but if they are healthy, this could be a very capable team.
• Millard North has had moments of brilliance, most notably against Gretna during the Metro Tournament. The Mustangs have defeated top teams before so they are not to be overlooked. A consistent level of play is the key here. Every minute will matter versus Elkhorn South and potentially Omaha South.

A-3

• Fremont should win the play-in game versus Omaha North, from there the Tigers have a huge challenge with #1 seed Gretna.
• Gretna has played fantastic soccer all year with multiple players stepping up in key moments. The Dragons should advance to state IF they play to their ability.
• Omaha Bryan will be the biggest challenger and threat to Gretna. They do lack a showcase win this season, but this is an opportunity to earn their first. There is talent on the roster.

A-4

• This district will have a lot of our attention due to the presence of two top 10 teams. Creighton Prep and Grand Island will be an exceptional match-up if they both advance to that game.
• Creighton Prep has earned that #1 seed. They have demonstrated themselves to be a top quality side versus Omaha South and others.
• Grand Island’s state title hopes are legitimate even with presence of Prep.The Islanders have won eight of their last ten games, playing very well throughout that stretch.
• Omaha Northwest is a dangerous three seed that Grand Island cannot overlook in that first game. Northwest was momentarily inside the Top 10 and have lingered in that 11-14 range all season.

A-5

• This one will be fun as multiple matches could go either way. There is no clear cut overwhelming favorite in this district.
• Millard South and Kearney have played challenging schedules this spring. Theoretically, that should benefit them now as the urgency gets turned up.
• The Patriots garnered more and more respect as the season went along. They were a pleasant surprise to many, including us.

A-6

• Lincoln East has done enough to earn top seeding, but they are still searching for a breakthrough win. They have been so close to reaching their full potential, which programs are built on big wins. A-6 will be an opportunity to gain momentum before playing top tier teams.
• North Platte and Lincoln East faced each other on April 23rd. On that day, North Platte came away with the victory, what will be the result this time? Do not overlook the first round games.
• Millard West and Papillion-La Vista will be a great game to watch for all supporters. West probably has the edge, but not by much. This game could go either way when looking at the two squads.

A-7

• What a year for Lincoln, three teams from the city are #1 seeds in district play. The level of play within the city has greatly increased in recent years from top to bottom.
• Norfolk’s defensive capabilities give them hope in this district. If they are able to discover an attacking prowess, they have a shot to steal a game or two. They pushed Lincoln Southeast, Grand Island, and Lincoln East to the edge this season.
• At the beginning of the season, we gave a lot of attention to Lincoln Southeast. We called for lofty goals and thus far they have answered.
• Omaha Westside has the best situation of any two seed in Class A boys. Win two and you’re in.

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

• A fantastic season by Platteview has them in leading position to win this group. Really big steps forward for this program.
• The game between Conestoga and Nebraska City is a bit of a toss up. Very realistic possibility to have a seeding upset in that first round.

B-2

• Omaha Skutt has been the top team all season. They have faced little resistance due to their overwhelming talent at every level.
• Ralston has the best shot to surprise this district.

B-3

• Bennington should be the winner in this group. This is a team with two top level scoring options that will be a challenge for any team to stop.
• Mount Michael has been a tough team to understand in the 2021 season. They have played well against good teams, but have under-performed when they have the upper hand.
• Elkhorn North has a shot if the defense is able to step up. Logan Hanigan at forward can break a game open. In these scenarios, an upset is one or two goals away.

B-4

• Man, what a wild ride is has been for South Sioux City. They began the season in our Top 3, but struggled early on. We kept them in our rankings even when they fell to 1-6. However, due to the performances of other programs they eventually found themselves on the outside of the Top 10. SSC stormed back and are now a one seed. What will be the result in the post-season?
• Blair is inside our Top 10 in the latest rankings. I like the chances of this second seed.

B-5

• Beatrice has been the story of the season on the boys side of the sport. Their reward for an epic turnaround? Being placed in one of the most challenging and hard to predict districts.
• Waverly and Norris will be a great game to watch as two capable teams fight it out in an attempt to advance.
• Crete’s results have been all over the place but there is talent on this squad. They are a dangerous four seed.

B-6

• Schuyler has upped their game in recent weeks, they are beginning to look like a state tournament team. That improvement makes for an interesting scenario in the B-6 district.
• It would be unwise to not mention the #1 seed, Columbus Scotus. They won against Schuyler only a few days ago, and they will need to do it again.

B-7

• The GI Northwest co-op has paid off for the community. Two schools put their best talents together which resulted in a great season.
• Do not overlook Aurora as the four seed. Not necessarily predicting an upset but it is not out of the question.
• For Kearney Catholic, this season started off on the right foot as they advanced to 6-0. A 3-3 finish brings some hesitation to the post-season.

B-8

• B-8 features all central or western Nebraska teams, a noted change from other pairings.
• Lexington is the clear favorite as they have defeated several quality Class A & B teams. The Minutemen feature a few of the best players in the state.
• Scottsbluff is a relative unknown, they have played three Wyoming teams. It is unclear how to compare those wins with Nebraska based results.
• Lexington defeated Scottsbluff 6-0 earlier this season.

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.

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

• 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