STATE SOCCER: East boys hope to cool off Omaha Burke in Class A final

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By Joshua Buechler

Lincoln Journal Star

Lincoln East Coach Jeff Hoham has seen Omaha Burke play twice in person and is well aware of the Bulldogs' capabilities.

The first was a 1-0 win for the Bulldogs over Lincoln High March 30, and the second in was a 3-2 win for Burke over Omaha Westside in Monday nights Class A state semifinal. Hoham came away from both matches impressed with his teams opponent in tonight's state final, set for 8:15 p.m. at Bryan Stadium in Omaha.

"Their overall team speed is their strength," Hoham said. "From what I can tell, they've done an outstanding job of improving throughout the season."

Burke, winners of nine in a row, is peaking at just the right time. The No. 6-ranked Bulldogs returned just three starters from an 8-7 campaign in 2001, but have shown plenty of firepower.

Senior Ryan Samuelson, who has signed with Oregon State, is tops on the Burke roster with 24 goals.

"We clearly have to deal with him and compensate with short, quick passes," Hoham said.

East's style is possess and control, while Burke showed it can be effective with several different strategies. On Monday night, the Bulldogs forwards were continuously a step faster than Westside's defenders. In the end, that all goes back to Samuelson.

"He shows his moments when he wants to be fast," Burke assistant Aaron Champenoy said. "He'll wait and wait and wait, and then all of a sudden he'll get on a guy and go."

Tonight's matchup will be a rematch of the 1996 and 1997 finals, which East took in 1-0 and 2-1 victories. Back then, Hoham was an assistant for the Spartans.

"We were a much more physical, bigger team back then," said the first-year coach. "Now, our team is not as big, but we have more skill and touch."

On paper, the two teams are near mirror images. The Bulldogs were able to beat the Links, who account for East's only two losses on the year. Burke is 14-3, while East is 15-2, meaning preparation and desire will be key components.

"It will be a battle," Champenoy said. "It will come down to who fights harder and who wants it the most."

East's David Olson, who leads the Spartans with 13 goals, hopes his teams familiarity with pressure plays a role.

"We've been here 11 years in a row and we have a lot of experience," said the senior. "At least 15 players were here last year and I think that helps."

East is looking for its first championship since going back-to-back against Burke, while the Bulldogs haven't hoisted the state crown since 1994. A win by either team would give the school a total of three titles, which is only topped by Omaha Creighton Preps' five.

"We just know if we come out and play our game, we can be effective," Olson said.