The second-ranked Creighton Prep soccer finished their regular season with dominant victories over South Sioux City (#1 in class B) and Papillion La Vista. Since the loss to Lincoln Southwest, the Junior Jays have been playing amazing soccer, winning 12 straight games by nearly 4 goals per game.
Creighton Prep started the week with a senior night victory against South `Sioux City. The Cardinals entered this matchup undefeated, boasting a defense that had allowed 2 goals in their first 11 games.
Just 4 minutes into the game, the Junior Jays took a 1-0 lead after an uncharacteristic mistake from the Cardinals’ defense. Prep forward Jordan Igwenma ripped the ball into the box, and it was tough to tell whether it was a shot or a pass. The Cardinals tried to corral it, but an awkward bounce sent the ball past Josue Carrasco, giving Prep an early lead.
Both offenses struggled in the remaining minutes of the first half, and Prep took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.
With 20 minutes remaining, South Sioux City tied the game with a counterattack following a shot off the crossbar from Prep midfielder Tim Dowd. Cardinal forward Eban Avalos was on the receiving end of a long downfield pass and chipped it over Alec Sibbernsen.
After this goal, it felt like the Junior Jay offense received a second wind, and they dominated the rest of the game.
Just 20 seconds later, a save from Carrasco was deflected to Prep midfielder Sean Stratman. The senior shot a rocket past Carrasco, giving Prep a lead they would never give back. With 15 minutes remaining, senior midfielder Jack Johnson sent a ball past the Cardinal defense to Connor Lodes, who had snuck past the back line. Lodes was able to give Prep a 2 goal lead.
The Junior Jays capped their victory with a goal from senior forward Zac McLeay, giving Prep a 4-1 victory against one of the state’s top teams.
Creighton Prep then traveled downtown to Morrison Stadium for the annual Kicks for a Cure matchup against Papillion La Vista. Kicks for a Cure raises awareness and funds for cancer and cancer research.
To put it simply, the Junior Jays dominated. After a slow start, Zac McLeay found the back of the net twice in the first half. A goal from Prep forward Jack Johnson gave Prep a 3-0 lead entering the half.
Noah Hogan-Doria, Louis Tokporo, and Flynn McLeay all found the net in the second half. That, along with 2 own goals from the Monarchs gave Prep an 8-0 victory to end their regular season.
The Junior Jays (15-1) will look to repeat as district champions before making a run at state to defend their state title. The Junior Jays are firmly locked in at the #2 spot in class A. They have multiple top-10 victories including #3 Omaha South (x2), #5 Gretna, #7 Omaha Central, #8 Millard West, and #9 Papillion La Vista South (x2).
The Junior Jays’ lone loss came early in the season against #1 Lincoln Southwest.
Creighton Prep soccer will get a week off before districts. While it’s not set in stone, Creighton Prep is sure to host a district tournament.
