Columbus Scotus sophomore Jose Cruz outscored the competition and grabbed top two spots after scoring 12 and 11 points in wins over Columbus Lakeview and Madison.
With the Nebraska boys soccer season heading into Sub-District and District play next week, we have decided to take a look at the top individual performances by points scored in this week's Top 10 – and it wasn't crowded at the top.
Columbus Scotus' Jose Cruz took the top two spots after scoring 12 and 11 points in two different matches this spring. The sophomore stuck six balls into the back of the net in Scotus' 10-0 blanking of crosstown rival Columbus Lakeview March 19 and then scored five goals and dished out an assist in an 8-2 triumph over Madison a month later. Cruz is tied with Oliver Benson of Bennington for the state lead in points scored with 51 points on 22 goals and seven assists.
Sitting third this week is Lincoln East junior Aiden Nachi and Obed Benazo of Schuyler who both scored 10 points in shutout wins over Fremont and Seward respectively. Scotus landed a third Top 5 finish when Chance Bailey scored nine points on three goals and three assists in a 6-0 win over Lutheran/Norfolk Catholic in mid-April. Bennington's Kai Olbrich also finished in the Top 5 with his nine-point effort against Blair.
In all, 17 athletes have claimed a Top 10 spot after scoring at least eight points in an individual contest.
As you browse through this week's Top 10, we introduce the athletes on the first line and list their stats as of Thursday afternoon on line two. Of course, the third line and beyond, is reserved for each soccer players' top performance(s) of the season.
Aidan Nachi, Lincoln East
Photo by Samuel Mfinanga
1. Jose Cruz, Scotus (Columbus)51 Points | 22 Goals | 7 Assists
Scored 12 points on 6 goals in a 10-0 win over Columbus Lakeview, March 19.
2. Jose Cruz, Columbus Scotus51 Points | 22 Goals | 7 Assists
Scored 11 points on 5 goals and 1 assist in an 8-2 win over Madison, April 19.
3. Aidan Nachi, Lincoln East (Lincoln)36 Points | 16 Goals | 4 Assists
Scored 10 points on 4 goals and 2 assists in a 7-0 win over Fremont, April 25.
3. Obed Benazo, Schuyler24 Points | 10 Goals | 4 Assists
Scored 10 points on 4 goals and 2 assists in an 8-0 win over Seward, April 7.
5. Chance Bailey, Columbus Scotus47 Points | 15 Goals | 17 Assists
Scored 9 points on 3 goals and 3 assists in a 6-0 win over Lutheran/Norfolk Catholic, April 14.
5. Kai Olbrich, Bennington41 Points | 16 Goals | 9 Assists
Scored 9 points on 4 goals and 1 assist in a 7-2 win over Blair, April 21.
7. Oliver Benson, Bennington51 Points | 23 Goals | 5 Assists
Scored 8 points on 4 goals in a 6-1 win over Waverly, April 26.
7. Ryland Garrett, Kearney37 Points | 15 Goals | 7 Assists
Scored 8 points on 4 goals in a 6-0 win over North Platte, March 24.
7. Brayden Kramer, Lincoln Southwest (Lincoln)36 Points | 15 Goals | 6 Assists
Scored 8 points on 4 goals in a 6-1 win over Lincoln Northeast, April 12.
7. Ernesto Vargas, Lexington32 Points | 12 Goals | 8 Assists
Scored 8 points on 2 goals and 4 assists in a 9-0 win over York, April 14.
7. Peyton Atwood, Northwest (Grand Island)31 Points | 14 Goals | 3 Assists
Scored 8 points on 4 goals in a 6-1 win over Hastings, April 21.
7. Edwin Cisneros, Omaha South (Omaha)31 Points | 13 Goals | 5 Assists
Scored 8 points on 4 goals in a 10-0 win over Gering, March 25.
7. Najib Ortiz, Grand Island Northwest26 Points | 9 Goals | 8 Assists
Scored 8 points on 3 goals and 2 assists in a 9-2 win over Gering, March 26.
7. Kemper Reed, Waverly20 Points | 8 Goals | 4 Assists
Scored 8 points on 3 goals and 2 assists in a 7-0 win over Seward, March 17.
7. Gael Ibarra, Ralston17 Points | 7 Goals | 3 Assists
Scored 8 points on 4 goals in a 5-2 win over the Platte, April 25.
7. Emanuel Chanchavac, Crete12 Points | 6 Goals | 0 Assists
Scored 8 points on 4 goals in an 8-1 win over Columbus Lakeview, April 19.
7. Douglas Chicas, Madison8 Points | 3 Goals | 2 Assists
Scored 8 points on 3 goals and 2 assists in a 10-0 win over Nebraska Lutheran, March 24.
