SBLive Nebraska Top 25 boys soccer rankings (May 2)

Bryan rises to the top 10

By Nathan Charles 

One of the great storylines at state last season was the run of Omaha Bryan. The Bears won eight in a row before Westside put the clock at midnight for Cinderella. Oddly enough, Bryan would make the title match this time if the current win streak extends to eight. Gretna stays on top despite the loss to Bryan because it seems like that result is more about the Bears than the Dragons. Southwest rises to the second position and looks poised for a deep run at Morrison. Prep, once wandering in the wilderness, has suddenly won five in a row and three of those were against top-25 opponents.

Feature photo: Omaha Bryan comes together on April 22 following a win over Northeast. Two days later the Bears knocked off No. 1 Gretna. Photo by @OmahaBryanFC Twitter. 

1. Gretna (11-3, Last Week #1)

Lost 2-0 vs. Bryan

In the final match of the regular season, Gretna gave up a PK in the first half then saw the deficit grow with 17 minutes remaining. The Dragons had their own PK moments later with a chance to put some pressure on late but sailed it high over the crossbar. With the loss, Gretna slipped to the second spot in the wildcard standings for the district round.

This Week: Tuesday vs. North Platte, District Championship TBD

2. Lincoln Southwest (12-2, Last Week #3)

Won 9-0 at Fremont

Following a meat grinder of a schedule that had Southwest facing four straight ranked opponents, a road game at Fremont offered an opportunity for some mental rejuvenation. The Silver Hawks took advantage by scoring seven times in the second half and spreading the scoring out among six different players.

This Week: Monday vs. Burke, District Championship TBD

3. Omaha South (11-3, Last Week #5)

Won 2-0 at Millard South, Won 1-0 vs. Benson

Omaha South had reasons for concern after a lopsided loss at Prep where the Packers looked to fade as the deficit grew larger. Thankfully, the schedule offered another chance at a top team and a weaker foe to end the regular season. Omaha South carried the play against Millard South, doubled the Patriots in shots and rode some early momentum thanks to a PK in the 12th minute. It was more of a struggle than it should have been against Benson but the Packers ended the year third in power points and have a favorable draw to the state tournament.

This Week: Monday vs. Lincoln High, District Championship TBD

4. Millard South (12-3, Last Week #2)

Lost 2-0 vs. Omaha South

A PK 12 minutes into the first half put Millard South in a hole. Omaha South doubled the advantage just three minutes later then continued to create chances while Millard South struggled to find a rhythm. The Patriots get the top seed for their district and are fourth overall. The Patriots had won five in a row before the setback.

This Week: Monday vs. Bellevue East, District Championship TBD

5. Lincoln Southeast (12-3, Last Week #7)

Won 4-2 at Grand Island, Won 4-0 vs. Benson

Southeast closed the regular season with back-to-back matches against teams below .500 and finished on a three-game win streak. A strong season earned the Knights the final No. 1 seed for the district round but a dangerous Bryan team awaits in Wednesday’s championship match.

This Week: Wednesday vs. Bryan

6. Bennington (15-0, Last Week #8)

Won 5-1 at Waverly, Won 7-0 vs. Elkhorn

While Bennington has been dominant, the shutout of Elkhorn was the first game not allowing a goal since a 4-0 victory over Schuyler on March 30. Of course, a lot of that has to do with scoring at least four goals in every game and earning playing time for the backups. Although Bennington has a win over Skutt, the SkyHawks get the top seed for the subdistrict round due to a schedule that included more Class A opponents.

This Week: Monday vs. Mount Michael, District Championship TBD

7. Millard North (12-4, Last Week #6)

Won 1-0 at Burke

Ben Howard scored early at Burke but Millard North was unable to add to the lead despite carrying the play from start to finish. While it doesn’t look like a comfortable win, the Mustangs only allowed one Bulldog shot. A dozen wins is the most for the program in seven years but the April 18 loss to 7-8 Millard West cost Millard North in the standings and sent the Mustangs to the Prep district.

This Week: Monday vs. Omaha Central, District Championship TBD

8. Creighton Prep (9-6, Last Week #9)

Won 4-0 vs. Elkhorn South

Prep ends the year on a five-game winning streak and with wins in seven of the last eight. It’s been one of the most trying seasons in recent memory, but after starting 1-4 the Junior Jays have grown up and come together quickly. Since the schedule included just one team below .500, Prep earned a home district and is suddenly one of the favorites to reach state after being on the brink of disaster just a few weeks ago.

This Week: Monday vs. Lincoln North Star, District Championship TBD

9. Papillion-La Vista South (13-5, Last Week #4)

Lost 2-1 at Westside, Won 5-1 vs. Omaha Northwest

Papio was playing from behind following a Westside PK with 22 minutes left in the match. The Titans responded right away but fell behind again with 12 minutes remaining and never created another equalizer. Despite the loss, Papio South hangs onto one of the seven top seeds for the district round. In Saturday’s first round, Colin Macke opened the scoring with his 16th goal of the season – setting a new school record. He scored again in the second half and Papio South led 4-0 before Northwest ended the shutout.

10. Omaha Bryan (12-4, Last Week #14)

Won 2-0 at Gretna, Won 4-0 vs. Grand Island

The Bears were a surprise on their way to last year’s semifinals. That fact alone put them on the radar for 2023, but if anyone had forgotten Bryan’s potential, a win over Gretna was a reminder not to take the Bears lightly. Southeast stands in the way of another trip to state.

This Week: Wednesday at Southeast

11. Omaha Westside (9-6, Last Week #11)

Won 2-1 vs. Papio South

Jeremiah Hteh scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season, both in the second half, but it might have been too little, too late for the Warriors to grab a better postseason draw. To get to state for a second year in a row it looks like Westside will have to go through defending champ Gretna. In the 10 games Hteh has scored a goal, the Warriors are 8-2 – seems like a fairly obvious recipe for success.

This Week: Monday vs. Pius X, District Championship TBD

12. Skutt Catholic (13-1, Last Week #13)

Won 4-0 vs. Roncalli, Won 3-1 vs. South Sioux City

The win over South Sioux is the second time this season the SkyHawks took down the Cardinals but that one went to overtime and was the second match of the season. This time it was a victory earned by overcoming a 1-0 halftime deficit for the conference title. Thanks to a schedule full of Class A teams, Skutt has the top Class B seed for the postseason.

This Week: Tuesday vs. Gross, Wednesday District Championship

13. Elkhorn South (8-5, Last Week #12)

Lost 3-0 vs. Prep

South is one team in a long list that ran into Prep at the wrong time of the season. Goals in the 14th minute and 32nd minute put the Storm in a steep hole. They had a PK with less than two minutes before halftime to try and build some momentum for the final 40 minutes but it was saved. A rebound goal with 18 minutes left in the match dashed any hopes of a comeback.

This Week: Monday vs. Norfolk, District Championship TBD

14. Kearney (13-3, Last Week #10)

Lost 1-1 (3-2 Shootout vs. Norfolk), Won 2-1 vs. Bellevue West

A disjointed offense makes Kearney susceptible to upsets, and that was the case against Norfolk when the Bearcats couldn’t break through until the 74th minute. In the district round against Bell West, Jhordy Solares beat the keeper over the top on a free kick from nearly 50 yards out and Braedyn Bergsten lined a shot past the keeper to the post from 20 yards away. The Thunderbirds created some anxious moments late but the Bearcats haven’t given up more than one goal since back-to-back losses three weeks ago.

This Week: Wednesday vs. Papio South

15. Columbus (8-4, Last Week #16)

Won 1-0 at East

The victory over the Spartans came at the right time for a group that could have been losing some confidence. The three-game skid started with a 2-0 loss to East then ended with a win over the Spartans. The Discoverers have been a solid team but head into the postseason with just one win over a team above .500.

This Week: Monday vs. Papio, District Championship TBD

16. Lincoln East (7-7, Last Week #15)

Lost 1-0 vs. Columbus

The nosedive continues for East. Granted, it’s been four straight games against teams in the top 25, and a rematch with one of those teams, but dropping three in a row is no way to go into the postseason. If East can get past Millard West, the district final is likely a third match with Southwest. The Silver Hawks won each of the first two 3-0.

This Week: Monday vs. Millard West, District Championship TBD

17. Lexington (12-3, Last Week #17)

The Minutemen should be well rested after 10 days off since a loss to Class A Papio South. Lexington’s losses this season have come to three teams that have 11 or more wins. A March 25 overtime win against South Sioux City has been the highlight of the year so far.

This Week: Monday vs. Gering, District Championship TBD

18. South Sioux City (12-3, Last Week #18)

Won 2-0 vs. Mount Michael, Lost 3-1 at Skutt, Won 7-0 vs. Madison

The final week of the season included a pair of challenges the Cardinals split between the Knights and the SkyHawks. Lexington also lost to Skutt in the first match of the season but had a halftime lead in this one before giving up three goals in the final 40 minutes. Getting back on the pitch right away was just what South Sioux needed. Seven goals against Madison was the second-highest total of the year.

This Week: Wednesday vs. Blair

19. Lincoln Pius X (7-7, Last Week #19)

Won 2-1 at North Star

A four-game skid finally ended with a road win at North Star. When Joey Patera scored a sharp-angle goal near the end of the first half it must have felt like ages since the Thunderbolts last enjoyed a lead. Keeping the season alive means beating a Westside team that has faced one of the toughest schedules in the state.

This Week: Monday at Westside, District Championship TBD

20. Schuyler (12-2, Last Week #20)

Won 9-0 vs. Lincoln Northwest, Won 5-1 at LHNE, Won 9-0 vs. Seward

The Warriors are one of the hottest teams in the state, building a nine-game streak before Monday’s subdistrict title match against rival Scotus. It will be the second time the two have met this season following a 5-3 Schuyler win on April 20 that went to OT after the Shamrocks overcame a 2-0 deficit.

This Week: Monday vs. Scotus

21. Norfolk (9-7, Last Week #21)

Won 1-1 (3-2 Shootout) at Kearney

A string of losses came to an end but required extra work in both season-ending victories. The final game of the regular season was one of the better wins of the year – going on the road for a win over a 13-win Kearney team. It gave the Panthers their first win over a quadrant one team and ensured the first winning season in eight years.

This Week: Monday vs. Elkhorn South, District Championship TBD

22. Scotus Central Catholic (12-3, Last Week #22)

Won 4-3 vs. Hastings, Won 3-2 vs. Elkhorn North, Won 5-0 vs. Lakeview

Close wins over Hastings and Elkhorn North following back-to-back losses were important for putting Scotus in position to host the district final if the Shamrocks can keep winning. If they lose in the subdistrict round, rising back up the standings was also necessary to keep the season alive.

This Week: Monday vs. Schuyler

23. Ralston (11-2, Last Week Unrated)

Won 3-0 vs. Nebraska City, Won 4-0 vs. The Platte

Ralston heads into the postseason with three straight shutout wins and five wins in a row. No doubt Roncalli and Mount Michael, two teams Ralston has passed in the standings, are a few losses the Rams would like to have back. The Rams get one of those on Tuesday in the subdistrict first round when the Crimson Pride visit and the season is on the line.

This Week: Tuesday vs. Roncalli, Wednesday Subdistrict Championship

24. Elkhorn North (11-6, Last Week #24)

Lost 0-0 (4-3 Shootout) at Norris, Lost 3-2 at Scotus, Lost 4-1 vs. Mount Michael

The Wolves did enough to absorb a few losses and stay locked into the top 16 of Class B. But after losing twice to close the regular season then losing in the first round of subdistricts, hopes for hosting a district final are almost certainly over.

This Week: Awaiting District Final Assignment

25. Mount Michael (7-6, Last Week Unrated)

Lost 2-0 at South Sioux, Won 7-0 vs. Gross, Won 4-1 at Elkhorn North

The conference tournament matched up South Sioux and Elkhorn North twice in a week. The Wolves were shut out both times by the Cardinals. The Knights bounced back right away with their second-highest total of the season then rolled that momentum into a three-goal first half against Elkhorn North.

This Week: Monday at Bennington