“I knew we were going to have a great matchup, but I also felt like we had the team that could carry us to the next game,” Lexington coach Joel Lemus said. “Bennington's a heck of a team, a heck of a program.
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Boys state soccer: Lexington tops Bennington, delivers Class B record for first-round wins
Lexington players celebrate after defeating Bennington in a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Lexington's Kendrick Marroquin-Ordonez (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against Bennington during the second half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Lexington's Tyler Thorell (9) goes up for a header during the first half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match against Bennington, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Lexington's Jose Navarrete-Escobedo (40) and Bennington's Krish Muktan (10) fight for the ball during the second half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Make it seven consecutive first-round wins and semifinal appearances for Lexington.
The No. 7 Minutemen attained the longest-such streak in Class B boys tournament history Thursday night with their 2-1 victory over No. 4 Bennington.
“They're faster, they're physical, they're a lot of things, but I felt in some areas we had the edge today. You have to get your boys to believe. I believe in them, and I believe that we were going to get the win.”
Jose Navarrete-Escobedo had the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute at Morrison Stadium, finishing a feed from Cesar Munoz.
“Oh, it felt good. I felt good once I got it, gave it to my teammate and got it back. He trusted me, I trusted in him," Navarrete-Escobedo said.
Bennington opened the scoring midway through the first half. Kade Olbrich's blast, after a pass from Declan Smith, went off the keeper's hands into the far corner.
Kendrick Marroquin-Ordonez knocked in the equalizer from Navarrete-Escobedo’s assist eight minutes into the second half.
Bennington (13-4) was stopped from returning to the Class B final after the Badgers got there last year by winning their semifinal against Lexington.
“We know our mistakes that we did last year and we’ve been working on them offseason and inseason. Finally paid off," Navarrete-Escobedo said.
Lexington (14-5) meets Schuyler (19-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the semifinal. Schuyler won the regular-season match 2-1.
“We had possession most of the game, but a couple mistakes,” Navarrete-Escobedo said. “They’re a very good team. We give credit to them, but we're ready for another battle, and it's going to be a new game this time.”
Lexington (14-5) ......... 0 | 2 — 2
Bennington (13-4) ....... 1 | 0 — 1
Goals: 1, B, Kade Olbrich (Declan Smith), 21:05. 2, L, Kendrick Marroquin-Ordonez (Jose Navarrete-Escobedo) 47:21. 3, L, Navarrete-Escobedo (Cesar Munoz), 69:23.
Check out photos from day four of the 2026 Nebraska high school state soccer tournament at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
