3/20/25
#3 LINCOLN EAST 5 – NORFOLK 0
Lincoln East started the season with a statement win against Norfolk, scoring early and often.
Norfolk was listed as a “Team to Watch” in the NEST preseason rankings.
“Norfolk is tough, strong, physical team,” Lincoln East coach Emily Matthews said. “I was just really excited with the way that our girls chose to respond in those tough moments.”
Freshman Piper Purvis scored back to back goals in the seventh and ninth minutes, giving Lincoln East a quick 2-0 lead.
“This is her first high school game,” Matthews said of Purvis. “The opportunity to step up in that way by scoring two goals for her team was really fun and beautiful to see. She is such a hard worker, just a spark of light on the field.”
Nebraska commit Kate Eggett scored five minutes later, and would add another goal on a corner kick in the second half. MaKynlie Cade finished out the scoring in the 67th minute.
“We pursued a lot of different types of opportunities on goal, and it makes me excited for the future and more competitions to come,” Matthews said.
#10 GI NORTHWEST 1 (3) – #4 NORRIS 1 (2)
On a cold, windy night, GI Northwest held off a late push from Norris to force and win a penalty shootout.
“Norris is obviously, historically, a pretty phenomenal team,” Northwest coach Jess Herrmann said. “For our girls to come on the road late at night, it’s cold, first game, 100 minutes of soccer, this was a fun one.”
Northwest’s Evie Keller scored first in the 25th minute. Norris’ equalized the game in the 68th minute, which forced overtime, and eventually a shootout.
“I mean, at halftime, having the 1-0 lead, we knew Norris was going to come out strong, which they did,” Herrmann said. “At times, we played way too frantic, and I think that’s what gave Norris a lot more confidence in the second half. Gutty performance by our defenders. We had a lot of girls that never stepped out of the game the whole time.”
After missing their first two shots, Northwest made two straight before Lupe Sanchez iced the game for the Vikings.
“Lupe is somebody that she’s always going to draw, at least two defenders at all times,” Herrann said. “At times I tell her to be more selfish, because she’s trying to pass it off a lot. Sometimes I just want her to put her head down and beat her girls one on one. Lupe is a special player, for sure.”
OTHER NOTABLE RESULTS
3/21
#1 Gretna East 4 – #5 Elkhorn 0
Gretna East started their title defense season with a solid conference win against Elkhorn. Record-setting Sonora De Fini started her own campaign with a brace. East goalie Maddie Schaffert is one shutout away from tying the all-time record.
3/22
#3 Lincoln East 7 – #7 Millard West 0
Yes you read that right. Lincoln East scored seven goals on the defensive-minded Wildcats and put the state on notice. Elizabeth Burhoop and MaKynlie Cade had two goals apiece.
“I think that this team is incredibly driven and competitive and really wants to thrive in those super, super competitive moments,” Coach Matthews said. “ I think they are really hard workers and understand that, like, the journey may be difficult to get to where we want to be, but they’re willing to take on that challenge.”
#2 Omaha Marian 3 – #6 Elkhorn South 0
Marian started their own campaign with a win over a quality opponent. The Crusaders hope to avoid an early exit at Morrison in May, after losing to Pius in last year’s semifinals.
#3 Omaha Skutt 1 – #8 Gretna 0
After 62 minutes of scoreless soccer, Phia Higgason put the Skyhawks on the board, securing a win over a graduation-depleted Gretna side.
Lincoln Southeast 2 – #5 Columbus 0
Unranked Lincoln Southeast pulled off a massive upset over conference foe Columbus. Juniors Sutton Antholz and Katie Childress scored for the Knights.
A #4 Kearney 1 – B #7 Bennington 0
Kearney’s Addie Snyder scored in the second half to avoid an upset at home.
A #9 Bellevue West 8 – B #6 Duchesne 0
Bellevue West opened their season with an impressive result over last season’s Class B runner-up. The Cardinals allowed just nine goals last season prior to the championship game. Additionally, Duchesne’s only regular season loss last season was to the Thunderbirds. While Duchesne lost multiple key players to graduation, Bellevue West still earned a massive win. Vanna Reitsma scored a hat trick, and freshmen Yirah Sears and Ella Parker had two apiece.
Fisher Madsen is a contributor for Nebraska Soccer Talk, currently studying Sports Media at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
