Highlights and scores from Class B semifinals of the NSAA State Soccer Tournament
State soccer semifinal games continued on Saturday.
Skutt Catholic was the team to beat in the Class B boys semifinals.
The Skyhawks are the four-time defending champions, but they needed to get through the Bennington Badgers if they wanted a chance at a five-peat.
It was a hot one at Morrison Stadium that featured hydration breaks for both the players and the fans.
Austin Kaiser stayed hot when midway through the first half, the Bennington junior netted his 34th goal of the season, bumping the Badgers up 1-0.
The Skyhawks responded eight minutes later when Ridge Jackson found Tyler Williams who slipped the one-timer just inside the far post.
The game was tied 1-1 with under three minutes left in regulation, and Pierce Havens played it inside the box. Senior Ryan Schmitt, playing his first season of varsity soccer, was the hero.
Skutt won 2-1.
Mount Michael, who had the biggest upset of the opening round, faced Lexington.
The matchup went scoreless going into the second half.
A through ball played for Jose Navarette-Escobedo put the Minutemen on the board.
The Knights came close to equalizing with a corner kick played into the box, but Lexington cleared it away.
Alexander Perez-Tunay added the insurance goal, so Lexington marched on to the win.
The Class B boys championship game is set. Skutt will play Lexington.
Gretna East girls soccer has already re-written the record books in its first-ever state tournament appearance.
Scoring the most goals by a single team with 12 on Wednesday night.
And then Saturday night, junior forward Sonora Defini entered the semifinal, against Bennington just three goals shy of setting a new single-season state scoring record.
It was scoreless with four minutes left in the first half when UNO commit, Kendall Dobberstein took the ball away and unleashed a world-class strike from a distance, putting the Griffins on the board.
With one second left in the first half, a free kick was awarded, and Karli Williams hammered it in.
The official said she didn't get it off in time, so they headed to the break 1-0, Griffins.
In the second half, Gretna East awarded a penalty kick, and Sonora Defini delivered.
The Griffins shutout Bennington 2-0, and Defini has a chance to set a new state record in the title game on Monday.
Duchesne and Skutt Catholic battled for a spot in the championship.
With six minutes into the second half, the Cardinals got a free kick.
A beautiful cross came from Claire Niehaus, and the freshman Josie Quattrocchi headed it home.
Skutt had its chances, but the Skyhawks were shut out in the semis
Duchesne is back in the state championship for the first time since 1997.