Lexington boys soccer heads to state for 17th time in school history
Lexington's Jose Navarrete-Escobedo (40) uses a header to control possession of the ball against Gross Catholic Saturday in the Class B-7 District Final in Lexington.
Lexington's Alexander Barraza-Saena (47) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammate Davis Garcia-Corzo during the Class B-7 District Final Saturday at Ray Ehlers Stadium in Lexington.
The Lexington Minutemen soccer team celebrates with their District Final champion plaque Saturday after defeating Gross Catholic 2-0 in Lexington.
The Lexington Minutemen soccer team overcame a scoreless first half to defeat Omaha Gross Catholic 2-0 in the Class B-7 District Final Saturday afternoon at Ray Ehlers Stadium in Lexington.
Lexington (13-5) received the No. 6 seeding in the Class B State Championship tournament, and will face No. 3 Bennington (13-3) on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
This is the Minutemen's seventh straight state appearance, and 17th in school history.
The Minutemen have three state runner-up trophies, coming in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
The Minutemen were the attacking team for the majority of the game but things just didn't come together in the first half.
"I think we felt like we kept knocking at the door, knocking at the door," coach Joel Lemus said. "We talked to them at halftime and said it's going to come. You just got to stay positive."
Lexington's Alexander Barraza-Saenz said they were desperate at halftime.
"We knew it was going to come but it wasn't there. Coach reminded us to keep our calm, and it came," Barraza-Saenz said.
The Minutemen finally got on the board in the 61st minute after a failed corner kick.
Adan Lima-Miranda had possession of the ball and kicked a high shot that found Barraza-Saenz at the left post of the goal for a header.
In the chaos of the crowded goal, the header found the back of the net for a Minuteman goal.
"I knew that Adan usually takes it to the second post so I took advantage, and I was there. I finished it off," Barraza-Saenz said.
Lemus said that Alexander has the height to score a bunch of goals with his head.
"It was beautiful to see it," Lemus said. "To have a guy come back from three plus weeks of injury. I was very happy for him.
"That was the goal that gave us the lead, and eventually got us the win."
There was still enough time on the board for Gross Catholic to score but the Minutemen were strong in their defense.
A Gross Catholic free kick came close to the goal but Lexington was able to clear the shot.
The Minutemen remained strong on defense throughout the rest of the game while continuing to make plays on offense.
As the clock ticked down from 10 seconds, Lexington's Mario Abarca-Contreras setup for a free kick from 38 yards out.
The free kick traveled into a Minuteman that attempted a shot but the Cougar keeper was able to save it.
The ball then rolled off towards the left side of the goal and Jose Navarrete-Escobedo was able to clean up the shot for a goal as time expired.
Navarrete-Escobedo raced to the sideline to celebrate as his teammates rushed in to join him.
"It felt amazing. I felt good," Navarrete-Escobedo said. "Since the start of the game, I was fresh, I was hungry."
Navarrete-Escobedo, a senior, said he is ready to get a championship.
"My team, my family, we've pushed ourselves from the beginning to right now," he said. "We're coming out strong and hungry. We are trying to go as far as we can — to a championship. We're ready."
Barraza-Saenz said that their team has been doubted all season.
"We ignored them," he said. "We know that our team is capable to win the big one (championship). It's going to be a good battle between all of us, and we're excited for that."
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS
No. 1 Gretna (14-1) vs. No. 8 Lincoln Pius X (7-6) — Thursday, May 14 at noon
No. 4 Roncalli Catholic (15-3) vs. No. 5 Elkhorn North (13-3) — Thursday, May 14 at 2 p.m.
No. 2 Schuyler (18-1) vs. No. 7 Skutt Catholic (8-8) — Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m.
