SBLive Nebraska Top 25 girls soccer rankings (April 11)

By Sam Pimper 

Gretna continues cruising on the pitch. Though Class A is proving to have several state contenders, the dragons have been overwhelming opposition to this point in the season. This week, we also see several previously unranked teams in Class A and B crack SBLive’s Top 25. 

1. Gretna (8-0, Last Week #1)

Won 10-0 Bellevue East, won 6-0 Millard South, won 5-0 #20 Millard North

This squad is impressive at this point in the season, to say the least. Through eight games, the Dragons have yet to give up a single goal, while netting 33 of their own. Of their wins last week, just one came against Top-25 opposition, but this team certainly passes the eye test and real challenges are in store this week.

This Week: Monday vs. #3 Marian, Friday at #15 Skutt Catholic and Saturday vs. #4 Lincoln Southwest

2. Lincoln East (7-0, Last Week #5)

Won 2-1 at Millard North, won 6-0 vs. Lincoln High and won 1-0 vs. Columbus

East moves up three spots on this week’s list. During a win over Lincoln High, a balanced offensive attack prevailed. Six different Spartan players netted a goal en route to the victory. On the season, seniors Tula White and Keely Yager are averaging half a goal per game. Senior Lillie Shaw is averaging about an assist per match.

This Week: Tuesday vs #18 Lincoln Southeast and Saturday at Grand Island

3. Marian (8-2, Last Week #3)

Won 7-1 at Millard South, won 10-0 vs. Omaha Bryan, won 4-0 vs. Elkhorn South, won 2-1 at Omaha Westside (OT)

The Crusaders remain in this week’s #3 spot. Last week, they picked up wins over two ranked opponents and have a huge matchup against unbeaten Gretna Monday afternoon. Three of four games last week were smooth sailing, but Omaha Westside proved difficult. Natalie Bullock and Anna Bragg both netted shots for Marian.

This Week: Monday vs. #1 Gretna and Thursday vs. Benson

4. Lincoln Southwest (7-1, Last Week #2)

Won 8-0 vs Lincoln North Star, won 10-0 vs. Fremont, won 3-0 vs. Lincoln Pius X

Since losing to Lincoln East 1-0 on March 30, Southwest has rattled off three straight victories while not allowing a single goal. Junior Kennadi Williams leads the Silver Hawks in scoring, averaging just over a goal per game. Jillian Lane is averaging nearly an assist per outing, as well.

This Week: Tuesday at #5 Kearney, Thursday vs. #18 Lincoln Southeast, saturday at #1 Gretna

5. Kearney (7-1, Last Week unranked)

Won 1-0 vs. Norfolk (OT) and won 2-0 at Lincoln High

Kearney makes the biggest leap in this week’s rankings. Previously unranked, the Bearcats have shown their grit and abilities to land in the #5 slot this week. Tuesday’s matchup against Lincoln Southwest will be a good gauge of where this team really is at this point in the season.

This Week: Tuesday vs. #4 Lincoln Southwest and Friday at Lincoln North Star

6. Millard West (6-3, Last Week #4)

Won 3-1 at Millard North, won 8-0 vs. Omaha South and lost 2-0 at Omaha Westside

Coming off a 3-0 loss to Gretna, the Wildcats responded by notching back-to-back victories before falling to Omaha Westside 2-0 Friday. Look for the Wildcats to get back on track this week against Westview before heading into a big game against Skutt Catholic Saturday. Junior Madi Rhodes is leading Millard West in scoring with about a goal per game.

This week: Friday vs. Westview and Saturday vs. #15 Skutt Catholic

7. Lincoln Pius X (5-2, Last Week #7)

Won 2-0 vs Lincoln Northeast and Lost 3-0 at Lincoln Southwest

Pius remains in its same ranking position as last week. Though it has been able to pull off the majority of its matches, scoring hasn’t been easy to come by and will be greatly needed if the Thunderbolts are going to make a run at State.

This Week: Monday vs. Lincoln High, Thursday at Grand Island and Saturday vs. Norfolk.

8. Scotus Central Catholic (8-0, Last Week #15)

Won 2-0 vs. Bennington, won 3-0 at Lincoln Lutheran/Raymond Central, won 4-0 vs. Lutheran-Northeast and won 4-0 vs. Lutheran/Norfolk Catholic

Scotus jumps seven spots in this week’s rankings. Starting the year with a perfect 8-0 start, the Shamrocks have only allowed a single goal all season. One of last week’s wins came against ranked opposition and another big test looms on the horizon Monday against Grand Island Northwest.

This Week: Monday vs. #13 Grand Island Northwest and Tuesday at #22 Kearney Catholic

9. Duchesne (8-0, Last Week #14)

Won 5-0 vs. Conestoga and won in a shootout over Elkhorn North Tuesday

The Cardinals move up six spots in this week’s Top 25 rankings. Claire Quattrocchi leads Duchesne in scoring with nearly a goal a game, and Kate Stratman and June Mullen are scoring 0.6 per outing. Look for Duchesne to pick up a win over Class A Omaha Central Tuesday before heading to Roncalli Catholic Wednesday.

This Week: Tuesday at Omaha Central, Wednesday at #25 Roncalli Catholic

10. Papillion-La Vista South (5-3, Last Week #18)

Won 3-0 vs. Omaha South, won 12-1 vs Omaha Northwest, won 1-0 at Papillion-La Vista and lost 2-1 at Millard North

The Titans won three of four last week, helping them to jump eight spots in this week’s rankings. Two of their three losses this season have come at the hands of Millard North. Makenna Lamp, Jacque Nelson and Addie Kramer are all leading South, averaging a goal per game.

This Week: Friday vs. Millard South

11. Millard North (5-4, Last Week #11)

Lost 3-1 vs. Millard West, won in shootout over Omaha Central, won 2-1 vs. Papillion-La Vista South and lost 5-0 to Gretna.

Millard North has been back-and-forth with its consistency this season, but this week provides good opportunities to right the ship. Both games against Bellevue West and Omaha South this week are winnable. A sound performance from leading scorer Brooklyn Bales will go a long way.

This week: Friday at #16 Bellevue West and Saturday vs. Omaha South

12. Skutt Catholic (5-1, Last Week #10)

Won 1-0 vs. Omaha Mercy

Skutt is the winner of four straight and has a huge matchup this week against #1 Gretna. Over the four-game winning streak, Skutt has outscored opposition 10 goals to two. Leading the SkyHawks in scoring is Tess Behrens, averaging two goals per game. Addison Burt and Maggie Reisbig are scoring 1.5 and 1 per game, respectively.

This Week: Wednesday vs. #1 Gretna

13. Elkhorn South (5-3, Last Week #8)

Win over Bellevue West in a shootout, 4-0 loss at Omaha Marian.

The Storm are 3-3 in their last six matches and face an Iowa opponent Saturday. This is a winnable game that’s needed before hosting a red-hot Gretna squad next Thursday. Leading South in scoring is Blue Keiper, averaging half a goal per game. She’s also tied for assist leader this season.

This Week: Saturday vs. Lincoln (Council Bluffs)

14. Norris (6-1, Last Week #12)

Won 9-0 at Waverly

Norris drops two spots this week even though they’ve won four straight. They play no games this week and without steady play it’s tough to decipher just how good they are. Leading Norris in scoring is Kennedy Sullivan, averaging 1.6 goals per game. Grace Kohler and Clare Macklin are averaging 0.6 and 0.5 goals per game, respectively.

This Week: No games

15. Elkhorn North (7-2, Last Week #16)

Lost Tuesday in shootout vs. Duchesne, lost 1-0 at Bennington, won 8-0 vs. Gering and won 3-0 vs. Scottsbluff

The Wolves hit a two-game losing skid against Duchesne and Bennington, but this is a sound team that should respond well to some adversity. Leading Elkhorn North in scoring is Kailey Marshall, averaging 1.3 goals per game. Ava Spies is averaging nearly a goal per game, and Sydney Wallace is averaging just over an assist per match.

This Week: Thursday vs. Norfolk Catholic

16. Bellevue West (6-4, Last Week unranked)

Won 5-0 vs. Omaha Burke, lost in shootout to Elkhorn South and won 10-0 vs. Omaha Bryan

Bellevue West has scrapped hard and shown enough to crack this week’s Top 25 rankings. After weathering a three game losing skid in late March, the Thunderbirds have won three of the last four to get back on track. Madison Severn and Mia McVay are both scoring about a goal per contest.

This Week: Tuesday at #17 Papillion-La Vista and Friday vs. #11 Millard North

17. Papillion-La Vista (4-3, Last Week #19)

Lost 1-0 vs. Papillion-La Vista South and won 3-0 vs. Omaha Central

The Monarchs have won two of their last three and move up two spots in this week’s rankings. Leading Papillion in scoring is Laina Souerdyke, netting just over one goal per game. Abby Howell is scoring just under a goal per game, and Maggie Turner leads the Monarchs in assists at one per game.

This Week: Tuesday vs. #16 Bellevue West and Friday at Omaha Central

18.Columbus (5-3, Last Week #13)

Won 4-0 vs. Grand Island and lost 1-0 to Lincoln East

Columbus is a team looking to get over the hump. Two of their recent losses have been tight and to ranked opponents. If this team has a chance to make a push for State, they will need more production out of Abby Haynes. The sophomore forward is scoring about half a goal per game at this point in the year.

This Week: Tuesday vs. Fremont and Thursday at Lincoln High

19. Omaha Westside (5-4, Last Week unranked)

Won 10-0 vs Benson, won 2-0 vs. Millard West, lost 2-1 to Marian (OT)

Westside has won two out of its last three and should pick up a win Wednesday against a struggling Omaha North squad. Ruby Cunningham is leading Westside in scoring with a goal per game. Junior Addison Kasel is averaging half a goal per game.

This Week: Wednesday at Omaha North and Thursday at Fremont

20. Grand Island Northwest (6-0, Last Week #17)

Won 1-0 vs Elkhorn and 3-0 at Lexington

Monday’s matchup against Scotus will be a great test for the undefeated Vikings. Though undefeated, scoring has been tough to come by over the last several weeks. Scotus scores in bunches, and Northwest will have to match that intensity to pick up the win. Big performances will be needed from Guadalupe Sanchez and Lexie Lilienthal, both of whom are averaging over a goal per game.

This Week: Monday at #8 Scotus Central Catholic

21. Lincoln Southeast (4-3, Last Week #9)

Won 3-1 vs. Lincoln North Star and won 3-1 at Fremont

Since dropping three straight late last month, Southeast has won two straight and looks to keep the momentum rolling during a big Tuesday matchup against #2 Lincoln East. Leading East in scoring is Avaerie Graves and Samantha Searcey, both scoring a goal per game. Sydney Kuenning is averaging an assist per match, as well.

This Week: Tuesday vs. #2 Lincoln East, Thursday at #4 Lincoln Southwest and Saturday at North Platte

22. Kearney Catholic (4-1, Last Week unranked)

Beat Aurora 4-0

Kearney Catholic slides into this week’s Top 25 rankings. Leading Kearney Catholic in scoring is Hadley McGowen and Jenna Kruse, each averaging just under a goal per game. The Stars lone loss of the season came at the hands of Grand Island Northwest.

This Week: Monday at North Platte, Tuesday vs. #8 Scotus Central Catholic and Saturday at Omaha Mercy.

23. Blair (6-2, Last Week unranked)

Won 5-0 at Plattsmouth and won 10-0 over Lincoln Northwest

Blair sneaks its way into this week’s Top 25 rankings. Senior Allison Hernandez is scoring nearly two goals per game, and sophomore Bryn Ray is scoring just over one. The Bears have won four straight and should keep the momentum rolling when they face 2-5 Elkhorn Monday evening.

This Week: Monday vs Elkhorn

24. Lincoln Lutheran/Raymond Central (4-1, Last Week #21)

Lost 3-0 to Scotus Central Catholic

This team is coming off its first loss of the year, but has a chance to get some positive momentum rolling with a few winnable games this week. Big performances will be needed out of senior McKenzie Derowitsch, who is averaging about a goal per game.

This week: Tuesday at Schuyler, Thursday at Ralston and Saturday vs. Norfolk Catholic

25. Roncalli Catholic (5-2, Last Week #23)

Won 7-0 over South Sioux City

Roncalli has won two of its last three and has a huge matchup Wednesday against #9 Duchesne. Morgan Mancuso has been rock solid all season, averaging just over two goals per game. Lily Flores is also netting one per game.

This Week: Wednesday at #9 Duchesne and Thursday vs Conestoga