Record Setting Season

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Not even weather could dampen the spirit of high school soccer in the state of Nebraska.

And it sure tried.

Thunderstorms broke up perhaps the best match of the eight-day event, causing it to switch venues and ultimately finish – in thrilling fashion – the next day.

Then temperatures dipped for the finals, which were also delayed for a day due to the weather.

Still, the state showed up – with blankets, of course.

A final-night attendance of 7,529 for a pair of boys championship matches was the second-highest figure in state soccer history, behind only the 8,200 that packed Morrison Stadium for the 2013 finals.

And what they witnessed was another step forward in the progress of the sport in Nebraska.

— A new benchmark for girls and goals.

— Breakthrough performances by two of the most tradition-rich female programs in the state.

— Returns to the top for a pair of boys teams with plenty of their own history.

It all added up to one of the more memorable postseason pushes in recent memory, capped with four state finals that didn’t disappoint, either. Here’s a final breakdown of the 2026 season.

CLASS A GIRLS

The trophy case at Omaha Marian doesn’t ever really collect dust. But it might just need to be expanded after the Crusaders took home the program’s 15th state title.

Their first since 2017 had to feel like a sigh of relief for a Marian side that had lost in the final three straight times (2018, 2019, 2025) since winning its last crown.

Leading scorer Leena Brunt tallied one in the first half, and an own goal forced by Cooper Dally sealed the deal after the break as Marian got back on top in Class A.

A return to the throne came after two-time defending champion Lincoln Southwest was upended by Elkhorn South in the semifinals. The Silver Hawks were trying to become just the fourth program in Nebraska history with a Class A girls three-peat.

Instead, they had to settle for another strong season, buoyed by a record-breaking season from junior forward Ansley Throener. The Nebraska commit racked up 59 goals – the most ever by a girl in either class – and added 17 assists, finishing 28 points clear of any other scorer in Class A. She had ten hat tricks on the season. 

CLASS B GIRLS

The third time was the charm for Lincoln Pius X.

After falling short in title matches each of the previous two seasons, the Thunderbolts struck for a pair of first-half goals less than 90 seconds apart and handed previously unbeaten Blair its first loss of the season in a 2-1 victory for the state title.

Margo O’Donnell and Eva Kolm each found the back of the net in the span of 85 seconds, and the Pius defense did enough late to hold on for the win.

But not before Blair star forward Cadence Field would make her mark, registering the 33rd goal of her sophomore season, the most in Class B.

Field and the Bears bring back almost an entire roster next season after reaching the state championship round for the first time since 2001.

Full Girls Soccer State Recaps on the NSAA Website

CLASS A BOYS

A surging scorer and a determined defense led Lincoln Southwest back to the top.

The Silver Hawks rode a second-half goal from Miguel Solano and leaned on a banged-up back line for the rest, outlasting Omaha South 1-0 for a state title, the program’s first since 2014.

Solano, who had four goals through Southwest’s first 13 matches, racked up nine in the postseason, including six at the state tournament.

But it was his last – a brilliant individual effort – that will live in Silver Hawk lore.

The senior forward stuck with a run through a pair of defenders, finding just enough space to get off a quality strike that proved to be the winner.

From there the Southwest defense — a unit missing multiple key contributors from a season-long battle against the injury bug — did its best work.

A patchwork back line and keeper Brentyn Ebeler kept the ninth clean sheet of the season for Southwest, giving head coach Derek Scheich his first state title.

Omaha South was playing in its sixth Class A final in the span of 13 seasons, and got there with one of the more dramatic wins imaginable.

The Packers outlasted defending state champion Omaha Westside in the semifinals — a replay of last year’s title tilt. The match, which started on Friday night at Morrison and ended Saturday at UNO, featured eight goals and wasn’t finished until South scored in the tenth round of the shootout.

CLASS B BOYS

Eight was again a lucky number for Gretna in a state championship.

The Dragons racked them up early and then late, matching the program’s own record for goals in a final in an 8-2 victory over Lexington.

Elijah Fulton scored the first of his three in the third minute and tallied two more in a late surge just 12 seconds apart, the fourth hat trick in the final six matches of the season for the senior.

Alex Sowinski and Nate Thiellen each added a pair — including goals in a decisive late surge that saw the Dragons net five goals in a stretch of just over 12 minutes.  It turned a one-score game into a runaway championship for Gretna, the program’s fourth all-time.

The scoreboard snowman also matched Gretna’s record from 2022, an 8-0 win over Omaha Westside for the Class A title.

Full Boys Soccer State Recaps on NSAA Website

“Discipline, drive, and dedication. Competitive spirit. A commitment to constant improvement. These qualities make great athletes and coaches. They also make great financial advisors. Northwestern Mutual advisors educate clients to make important decisions to live differently and achieve their goals of financial security. Learn more about joining our team. Karges Financial Group and the Great Plains District are proud supporters of Nebraska high school athletics.