Heady Lincoln East tops Westside in soccer

BY BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 - 12:30:22 am CDT

OMAHA — Someone left a message on the Journal Star Website a few weeks ago.

After a picture of Lincoln East goalkeeper Anthony Reichwaldt appeared in the newspaper from a game against Lincoln Southwest, they wanted everyone to know that Reichwaldt had cut off that scruffy hair that had reached down his back.

Donπt worry though soccer fans, because Reichwaldt hasnπt lost his touch as one of best goaltenders in the state.

Reichwaldt got his third shutout in three games this season, helping top-ranked East to a 1-0 victory against Omaha Westside at Phelps Field on Saturday.

East forward A.J. Dingledine is pretty good, too. Dingledine got the game-winning goal on a header with about seven minutes left in the first half.

East improved to 3-0 and has outscored its opponents 6-0, but the win against No. 4 Westside was the Spartansπ first against a ranked opponent.

For those wondering about that hair of Reichwaldtπs, after the Southwest game he cut off what the kids call a ≥skullet.≤ Apparently, itπs like a mullet, with the top being shaved, and the back remaining long.

≥Heπs goofy,≤ Dingledine said of Reichwaldt.

Heπs a pretty good goalkeeper, too, with 21 shutouts in three years as a starter.

≥With Anthony, itπs all or nothing,≤ Dingledine said. ≥Heπs crazy back there, and thatπs what we need.≤

The whole East defense was getting a lot of praise afterwards. Westside coach Bruce Skinner said his team didnπt get one clean shot on goal all game.

≥Another shutout is due to Justin Burns, Joe Baker and Zach Zmiewski playing everybody tough,≤ Dingledine said. ≥They just pressure everybody and donπt take anything for granted. Our team really appreciated their work.≤

Westside didnπt give East much room to score, packing eight to 10 players in the box and swarming Dingledine with two or three players most of the time.

That time came with seven minutes left in the first half. East worked the ball up field, with Taylor Stacy footing a ball into the box that Dingledine found with his head and buried in the goal from about 8 yards out. He has five of the Spartansπ six goals this season.

≥It was a beautiful header off a great assist,≤ East coach Jeff Hoham said. ≥A.J.πs the best forward in the state in my opinion. With two or three guys on you, and to still be able to do that speaks volumes about your overall ability.≤

Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7431 or bwagner@journalstar.com.