The Junior Jays followed up their quarterfinal victory in the Class A state tournament by defeating the Papio South Titans 3-2 in a thrilling overtime affair.
This game had everything you could ask for in a soccer match. High-paced action with both teams relentlessly attacking each other’s goals left spectators at the edge of their seats.
The action started early with Papio South scoring within the first few minutes. After Titan midfielder Cole Krska sent a free kick into the box, forward Quinten Dewitt was able to knock it home. This was new territory for the Junior Jays, as it was just the third time they had been trailing all year.
It felt like Prep was in control for the next 40 minutes.
The Junior Jays rallied and had a multitude of opportunities while limiting the Titans’ scoring chances. Jack Johnson tied the game late in the first half after Sean Stratman’s shot was deflected by Titan goalie Darrell James.
With 20 minutes remaining, Noah Hogan-Doria gave Prep a lead after sending a rocket past the keeper. Tim Dowd was credited with the assist as he danced through the Titan defense before dumping the ball to Hogan-Doria.
This was a major turning point in the game: from here on, the Titan offense and Prep defense clashed in some of the most entertaining soccer seen all season.
Prep goalie Alec Sibbernsen played a phenomenal game, with multiple one on one saves. Chants of “Sibb, Sibb, Sibb!” rang throughout the crowd as the game progressed.
The Prep defense had goal line saves from Stratman and Gabe Vaughn as well.
However, the Prep offense slowed down, and the Prep defense could only withstand the onslaught from the Titans for so long. Elias Hernandez leveled the game after a rocket of a goal from the left side of the box. Sibbernsen got a hand on it, but couldn’t save it.
Both teams went into overtime tied at 2-2 and Prep was off to overtime for the second time this year.
With just 1 minute left in the first overtime period, Prep forward Jordan Igwenma sent shockwaves through Morrison stadium with a goal off a feed from Connor Lodes.
In the final 10 minutes, Papio South played the most aggressive soccer of the night, but the heroics of Prep’s defense held on. Goal line clearances from Drayton Beber and saves from Sibbernsen ended the Titans’ championship hopes and sent Prep to their second consecutive state title game.
Prep will play Lincoln Southwest in the Class A State Championship. Lincoln Southwest is undefeated and the only team to take down the Junior Jays. The game will take place at May 14th at Morrison Stadium at 8PM.
