The first step of Varsity Soccer’s title defense is complete, as they defeated North Platte and Omaha North to win the A-2 District. This officially secured them a spot in their 15th-straight Class A state soccer tournament.
Prep opened districts with a matchup against North Platte at Leahy Stadium.
Although the Junior Jays struggled to get an early goal, they controlled the game from the start. They dominated control of possession. North Platte was on the defensive for nearly the whole first half, giving goalie Alec Sibbernsen and the Junior Jay defense an easy half.
After 30 minutes, it paid massive dividends. With ample offensive opportunities, tallying 15 shots on goal and 13 corner kicks, Prep forward Jack Johnson was able to score twice in the final 10 minutes of the half. He scored off a rocket from outside the box and a header off a beautiful pass from Asher Shillcutt.
An early second half goal from midfielder Tim Dowd gave the Junior Jays a 3-0 lead, and forward Jordan Igwenma secured the game with a goal off a quick pass from Gabe Vaughn.
In the district finals, Prep hosted Millard North, whom they had beaten 2-0 earlier in the year.
This was a defensive game with limited opportunities for each side. However, the Junior Jays took advantage of their limited opportunities. Part of why the Mustang offense struggled was a high press from the Junior Jays. They pressured the Mustangs in their own half of the field.
Prep forward Louis Tokporo got the scoring started. After Jordan Igwenma’s shot got saved at the goal line, Tokporo put the deflection into the back of the net.
Forward Zac McLeay put the game away with a goal off of a free kick, giving the Junior Jays a 2-0 lead. After McLeay drew a foul outside the box, Igwenma sent a curving cross in front of the Mustang’s goal. A defensive miscue allowed McLeay to send a volley past the keeper.
The Mustangs just could not break through the Prep defense, and the Junior Jays won 2-0, securing a spot in the state tournament.
This team is getting hot at the right time. In their past eight outings, the Junior Jays have allowed only two goals, including two shutouts in the district tournament, a testament to the dominance of this defense. Sibbernsen has settled into his goalie position, and captains Drayton Beber and Sean Stratman have held down a stalwart defense.
The offense has been firing on all cylinders as well. They’ve scored 18 goals in their past four games. Johnson and McLeay lead the team with 11 and 10 goals, respectively. Igwenma has nine goals and a team-leading 14 assists as well.
If the Junior Jays want to win their 12th state championship, extending their own record, the offense and defense will need to be at their best in the upcoming weeks at Morrison Stadium.
Entering the state tournament, the 17-1 Junior Jays are sure to be one of the top seeds in Class A. Prep and Lincoln Southwest have solidified themselves as the top two teams in the state.
