May 4, 2004

East goaltender makes two key shootout saves in Spartans' win

BY BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON

OMAHA - His team having just escaped with a 1-0 shootout win over Bellevue West on Tuesday, Lincoln East boys soccer coach Jeff Hoham turned to congratulate the game's hero.

"Great job in there, Brady," said Hoham, a smile forming. "Now, start carrying some stuff. Carry some water."

Some heroes get hoisted on teammates' shoulders. Spartan goalkeeper Brady Beran gets to lug water on his. Such is being a sophomore.

It was Beran who came up big by forcing two big shootout misses after his team was one shot from losing in the A-5 district semifinals at Millard South.

No. 2-ranked East (13-1) will play Omaha Creighton Prep (9-7) in the district final Thursday. The Junior Jays defeated Millard South 1-0 thanks to a goal in the 53rd minute by Mike Stillmock.

Bellevue West would have been in that game if junior Andrew Elam - the Thunderbirds' fifth shooter - had scored on Beran.

"I got it. It's on me," Elam said to his anxious teammates just before attempting his shot.

Elam didn't have it. He shanked his shot, not even putting it on net. Every East player except for Beran was wildly excited.

It seems the young keeper wasn't keeping track of the shootout score, which was 3-3, and didn't realize the shot's implications.

"To be honest, I didn't even know (Elam) had to miss it," Beran said. "I didn't know until I came over after the kick and the ref said we're in a sudden death. I was like, 'Oh really.'"

In sudden death, East junior Mike Johnson snuck the first shot under the arm of senior Thunderbird keeper Brian Schekirke.

Bellevue West's Corey Bowles followed, only to have his near-post shot attempt stopped by a diving Beran to end matters.

East players mobbed around Beran, who forced three out of six Bellevue West shootout misses.

"It was a defining moment for him," Hoham said. "On that shot (West's fifth shootout attempt), the thing I was thinking was, 'Brady, just pick a side and trust your instinct. Maybe it will work out.'"

Beran said he learned to trust his instincts more Saturday, when he failed to stop any of five attempts by Millard West shooters in a shootout loss to the top-ranked Wildcats.

Tenth-ranked Bellevue West (9-6) had not been in a shootout until Tuesday.

"Having not been in a shootout probably hurt us," said Bellevue West coach Don Holstein, "But Brian put us in position to win by making two saves. It was just that their keeper made some really good saves, too. He moved off the line really well."

East, playing without ill junior defender Beau Cruse, almost didn't need a shootout.

Holding a 20-11 shots-on-goal advantage, the Spartans had appeared to score in the game's 54th minute on a goal from sophomore Jacob Rocke. But the sideline official waved the score off, ruling Rocke had touched the ball with his hand before the shot.

Rocke protested he didn't touch it, but the call stood, allowing the game to end scoreless through 100 minutes of action.

Afterward, a relieved Hoham said: "I'm proud to say we're in the finals of what I consider the best district tournament in the state.

"And I applaud Bellevue West, who was just as deserving of winning this contest as we were."

Published Wednesday

May 5, 2004

Spartans, Junior Jays survive in A-5 soccer districts

BY BRIAN AYERS

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Lincoln East 1, Bellevue West 0

Lincoln East goalkeeper Braden Beran had all the answers for the 13-1 Spartans in their district semifinal against unranked Bellevue West.

Nineteen answers to be exact - the number of Thunderbird shots saved by the sophomore keeper.

In a match of close calls, missed opportunities and superior goalkeeping by both Beran and Bellevue West's Brian Schekirke, Beran outmaneuvered three of Bellevue West's six shooters in overtime.

After the teams tied at 3 in the first shootout, Lincoln East's Mike Johnson knocked in a roller - partially deflected by a diving Schekirke - in sudden death.

That's when Beran took to the goal to face Corey Bowles, who represented Bellevue West's last chance. Beran blocked the screaming liner with a dive to his right to send the Spartans into the A-5 district final.

"I wasn't thinking about the score," Beran said. "I just wanted to make sure not to second-guess myself and give it my best on each shot."

Lincoln East Coach Jeff Hoham said both teams deserved to win, but was glad to see his team survive a late test.

"There was a lot of pressure on our team," Hoham said. "After replacing 13 players from last year, 85 percent of our team had never felt the pressure of a sudden-death shootout. This toughens them mentally."

Bellevue West.........................0 0 0 0 0-0

Lincoln East (13-1).........................0 0 0 0 1-1

Ä Goals: Lincoln East wins in sudden-death shootout.