Published Sunday April 19, 2009

Nebraska Boys: Spartans run streak to 7, net title

BY JESSE KUHNLE

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Lincoln East scored two first-half goals Saturday to defeat Columbus Scotus 2-1 for the championship of the Papillion-La Vista Invitational boys soccer tournament.

After starting the season 0-3, Lincoln East won three tournament games in less than 24 hours to improve to 7-3.

"This tournament is such a mental and physical grind," Lincoln East coach Jeff Hoham said. "It's a huge test of our ability to train for competition throughout the week."

The Spartans, ranked No. 10 in Class A, defeated Papillion-La Vista South 3-0 earlier in the day. Columbus Scotus earned a berth in the championship game with a 3-2 upset of No. 1 Omaha Creighton Prep.

"I give Columbus Scotus a lot of credit," Hoham said. "They got our attention when they beat Prep this morning."

East's Kyle Nowka scored first off Devon Crews' assist. Nowka also had the assist on the clinching goal by Mike Reckmeyer later in the half.

Scotus answered the first Spartan goal just minutes later with Chase Beiermann's goal, but the Lincoln East defense held firm the rest of the game.

Scotus threatened in the closing minutes of the match when the ball dropped in the box off a corner kick. Goalkeeper Ashton Makovicka made a game-winning save just before the ball could cross the goal.

Confidence is just beginning to grow for the Spartans, who are setting their goals higher.

"I told the guys, in years that we've won the state tournament, we won this tournament first," Hoham said. "That will help us from a confidence standpoint."

The Spartan players agree.

"We're feeling great," Spartans captain Cameron Meter said. "We're just riding the emotional high from winning seven in a row."

Lincoln East (7-3).........................2 0—2

Columbus Scotus (6-3).........................1 0—1

At Papillion-La Vista South

Ä Goals: LE, Nowka, Reckmeyer. CS, Beiermann.