Facing last year’s state runner-up and this years eventual state champion in the first round proved to be a heavyweight battle on the pitch in the first round, as Lexington was edged by South Sioux City 4-0 in the quarterfinals of the Class B State Soccer Tournament on Thursday at Morrison Stadium on the Creighton University campus.
The Minutemen defense wasn’t helping out their cause with fouls and miscommunications in the first half, but they were able to thwart off all scoring attempts other than when Romario Tapia was able to flex the net for the Redbirds to snag a 1-0 lead that lasted into the halftime intermission.

Using a great counter attack and taking advantage of miscues, the South Sioux City offense was able to push across a trio of goals in the contests final minutes, as Lexington was playing with gumption in hopes of knotting the score. Scoring decisive goals for the Cardinals in the second half were Eduardo Gamboa, Martin Hurtado and Edson Irineo.

“We fought valiantly but it was just too much for us to overcome,” explained Lexington head soccer coach Mike Zarate. “They (South Sioux City) just capitalized off our mistakes. That is what good teams do.”

In his final game between the pipes for the Minutemen, Senior Edgar Ramirez racked up six saves for the Orange and Black.  

Scoreboard

Lexington    0    0    0
South Sioux City    1    3    4




For the complete story and pictorial coverage, please see the print edition of the TRIBUNE