Here's a look at the best of the best from the soccer pitch in 2023:
People are also reading…
All-state soccer: Meet the 2023 boys first-team Super-Staters
(𝑴𝑭) 𝑱𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑴𝑰𝑨𝑯 𝑯𝑻𝑬𝑯, 𝑶𝑴𝑨𝑯𝑨 𝑾𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑺𝑰𝑫𝑬
The resume: He was key for Omaha Westside, scoring the game-winning goal in six of the Warriors’ 10 wins for the season. He broke a 25-year-old school record for goals in a match with five against Omaha Westview. His 21 goals accounted for about 50% of the Warriors’ goals this season.
Defining moments: “He’s a goal machine from the attacking midfield position. He’s extremely dangerous on the dribble, can strike from distance from beyond the 18-yard box and can finish anything with one touch.” — Omaha Westside coach Mike Dean.
(𝑭) 𝑳𝑨𝑵𝑬 𝑲𝑹𝑼𝑺𝑬, 𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑶𝑳𝑵 𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯𝑾𝑬𝑺𝑻
Year: Senior.
The resume: The Concordia soccer commit set the school record for goals in a season with 21, including nine game-winning goals. Kruse had an assist or goal in 15 of the Silver Hawks' 18 matches.
Defining moments: “We were knotted 2-2 with Lincoln Southeast in the HAC tournament semifinal. We had a good chat during the intermission and 90 seconds into the second half, Lane received a ball down the line. He fended off two defenders — dribbling approximately 60 yards — cut in on his weaker left foot and drilled a shot into the bottom left corner. We went on to win the match 5-2. That run and finish was pure class.” — Lincoln Southwest coach Derek Scheich.
(𝑭) 𝑪𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑵 𝑴𝑨𝑪𝑲𝑬, 𝑷𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑰𝑶𝑵-𝑳𝑨 𝑽𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑨 𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯
Year: Senior.
The resume: Macke’s school-record 22 goals led Class A. When defenses upped the pressure, he dished for 15 assists, a key in the Titans reaching the state semifinals for the first time in 11 years.
Defining moments: “In the Metro Tournament, he knew he had to involve his teammates more and had two goals and five assists on his way to earning player of the tourney and securing just our second Metro championship in school history.” — Papillion-La Vista South coach Dave Lawrence
(𝑭) 𝑴𝑨𝑮𝑼𝑰𝑹𝑬 𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑺, 𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑵𝑨
Year: Junior.
The resume: Perkins led the Class A state runner-ups with 19 goals and eight assists. That gives him a remarkable 44 goals and 18 assists over the past two seasons. He’s being recruited by several NCAA Division I programs.
Defining moments: “Maguire is a natural goal scorer. There are many things you can coach, but his ability to read the game and be in the right place is something you cannot.” — Gretna coach Tyler Ortlieb.
(𝑴𝑭) 𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑫𝒀 𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑮𝑮, 𝑪𝑹𝑬𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑶𝑵 𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑷
Year: Senior.
The resume: He led the Class A state champions with 11 goals and five assists.
Defining moments: “Brady carried us on many, many occasions, almost single-handedly at times willing us to stay the course and remain optimistic even during the bleakest moments of our season. He will forever be remembered for the intangible qualities he contributed to his team's journey.” — Creighton Prep coach Tom Hoover.
(𝑴𝑭) 𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑻 𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑺, 𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑵𝑨
Year: Senior.
The resume: He was key in the Dragons’ two wins at the state tournament, and ended the season with nine goals and 13 assists.
Defining moments: “What Brett does is control a game. His style of play is calm, cool and collected. He has been the spine of Gretna soccer for the past three years, and when Brett is on the field, there is a sense of relief.” — Gretna coach Tyler Ortlieb.
(𝑫) 𝑻𝑶𝑴𝑴𝑰𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑼𝑴𝑷𝑭𝑭, 𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑶𝑳𝑵 𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑻
Year: Senior.
The resume: Stumpff helped Lincoln East make a late-season surge to reach the state tournament with a 9-7 record. On numerous occasions, he made a stop on defense that shifted the momentum back to the Spartans.
Defining moments: “In a shootout win against Millard West in the district semifinal he showed the composure to score the PK. And then he plays a 40-yard diagonal pass for Diego Reyes-Barbosa to run onto and score that epic last-minute goal.” — East coach Colin Smitsek.
(𝑫) 𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑳 𝑻𝑶𝑩𝑨𝑩𝑬𝑵, 𝑶𝑴𝑨𝑯𝑨 𝑺𝑲𝑼𝑻𝑻
Year: Senior.
The resume: He had an impressive eight assists from the left back position while helping Omaha Skutt win the Class B state championship.
Defining moments: “At the state tournament, on the biggest high school stage, he was a lockdown defender and got forward in the attack to create numerous opportunities for our team.” — Omaha Skutt coach Justin Zabawa.
(𝑮𝑲) 𝑫𝒀𝑳𝑨𝑵 𝑩𝑬𝑰𝑬𝑹𝑴𝑨𝑵𝑵, 𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑶𝑳𝑵 𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯𝑾𝑬𝑺𝑻
Year: Junior.
The resume: He helped Southwest to a 14-4 record and a state semifinal appearance. His 15 career shutouts already rank fourth in program history.
Defining moments: “In our first match against Lincoln East he picked up a minor injury and was hobbling a bit. East won a corner and the ball was put into the box and fell to the head of Aidan Nachi who flicked it onto goal at point-blank range. Dylan was able to react and palmed the ball over the bar to maintain his clean sheet. We went on to win 3-0.” — Lincoln Southwest coach Derek Scheich.
All-state soccer: Meet the 2023 girls first-team Super-Staters
(𝑭) 𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑶𝑹𝑨 𝑫𝑬 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑰, 𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑵𝑨
The resume: Her 18 goals were the second-highest on the state champion Dragons.
Defining moments: “Sonora came through for our program time and time again in critical moments. She is ultra-confident in one-versus-one situations, combined with a tremendous amount of finishing talent.” — Gretna coach Chace Hutchison.
(𝑭) 𝑨𝑳𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑶𝑵 𝑴𝑨𝑹𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑳𝑳, 𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑵𝑨
Year: Junior.
The resume: She scored 21 goals and passed for seven assists. That included two assists when Gretna beat Lincoln Southwest 5-2 in the state championship match. For her career, she’s averaging about one goal per match.
Defining moments: “We faced double-digit top 10 teams, all of which dedicated one if not two defenders to her area. Her ability to find the open space, win in the air, and distribute the ball is phenomenal.” – Gretna coach Chace Hutchison.
(𝑭) 𝑲𝑬𝑵𝑵𝑬𝑫𝒀 𝑺𝑼𝑳𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑨𝑵, 𝑵𝑶𝑹𝑹𝑰𝑺
Year: Junior.
The resume: She ranked second in Class B with 26 goals while helping to lead Norris to a state runner-up finish. With career totals of 64 goals and 26 assists she has the Norris career scoring record. She’s committed to play at Boise State, where she was recruited to play defender.
Defining moments: “She can anticipate the next play and put herself in perfect positions to finish crosses, intercept the opponents' passes, or make a slashing run in behind the defense. Kennedy was involved in many of our attacks and showed up big for the team during big moments.” – Norris assistant coach Samantha Areman.
(𝑴𝑭) 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑳𝑬𝒀 𝑲𝑶𝑹𝑻, 𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑶𝑳𝑵 𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯𝑾𝑬𝑺𝑻
Year: Junior.
The resume: She finished with 15 goals and nine assists. That included her goal on a free kick in overtime that got the Silver Hawks to the state championship match for the first time in program history. She’s committed to play soccer at Omaha.
Defining moments: “Charley was decisive in big games with goals or assists against Gretna, Lincoln East, Lincoln Pius X, Elkhorn South, Lincoln Southeast and Kearney.” — Lincoln Southwest coach Thomas Nettleton.
(𝑴𝑭) 𝑨𝑽𝑨 𝑴𝑨𝑲𝑶𝑽𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑨, 𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑵𝑨
Year: Senior.
The resume: Makovicka was often a threat to help Gretna score on free kicks and corner kicks. The future Husker scored 11 goals and had four assists this season while helping Gretna to its third straight state championship.
Defining moments: “Defensively, Ava was one of the best players in the state. She used her athletic gifts to chase down opponents and win critical situations.” — Gretna coach Chase Hutchison.
(𝑴𝑭) 𝑲𝑨𝑹𝑳𝑰 𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑰𝑨𝑴𝑺, 𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑵𝑨
Year: Sophomore.
The resume: She was key to starting the Dragons’ high-powered offense, and finished with 11 goals and four assists.
Defining moments: “Defensively, Karli was one of the best players in the state during 50/50 situations and in aerial duels. Offensively, Karli was a key contributor for our build-up play as she was primarily responsible for switching the point of attack and pushing the ball forward. Her passing ability was incredible to watch as placement, pace, and touch all came together.” — Gretna coach Chace Hutchison.
(𝑫) 𝑻𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝑩𝑬𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑺, 𝑶𝑴𝑨𝑯𝑨 𝑺𝑲𝑼𝑻𝑻
Year: Senior.
The resume: She stood out as a shutdown defender, while also helping on offense with seven goals and six assists for the Class B state champions.
Defining moments: “Tess was a do-it-all player and would move to forward when we needed more scoring chance during a game. But it was her calming presence in the back that helped make us a state championship team.” – Omaha Skutt coach John Carlson.
(𝑫) 𝑳𝑶𝑵𝑫𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝑬 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑰, 𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑵𝑨
Year: Junior.
The resume: De Fini had a big role on free kicks and corner kicks for Gretna, which contributed to her finishing the season with seven goals and eight assists. She’s committed to Lipscomb.
Defining moments: “She is a complete player excelling at every aspect of the game including passing, dribbling, defending, and shooting. She has a wonderful touch on the ball and the confidence to make the special play in big moments. London thrived as our left back contributing in both phases of the game.” — Gretna coach Chace Hutchison.
(𝑮𝑲) 𝑫𝑬𝑳𝑨𝑵𝑰 𝑫𝑨𝑼𝑩𝑴𝑨𝑵, 𝑶𝑴𝑨𝑯𝑨 𝑾𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑺𝑰𝑫𝑬
Year: Senior.
The resume: She made several game-changing saves on breakaway attempts during the season. Daubman was key to Omaha Westside reaching the state semifinals for the first time since 2010, including four consecutive shutouts late in the season.
Defining moments: “In the district championship against Columbus it was 2-0 to us with 20 minutes left. Columbus had a breakaway chance and Delani came out and made an outstanding save. That broke their spirit and gave us even more momentum to go on and score a third goal and wrap up the district title.” — Omaha Westside coach Chris Dunford.
