Nachi’s last-minute goal helps Lincoln East down Millard South, clinch state tourney bid

With the score tied at one with less than a minute to go in the game, Lincoln East junior Aidan Nachi took matters into his own hands, scoring the game-winning goal to send the Spartans to state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – With a high school soccer state tournament berth on the line, Lincoln East junior Aidan Nachi was determined to deliver for his team.

In the 50th minute of the game, Nachi assisted on Karter Jeffrey’s goal that gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead. However, Millard South tied the game in the 65th minute when Ben Menichetti headed in a corner kick to tie the game at one.

“As soon as they scored on us, I remembered the painful feeling of losing our district last year and that just motivated me to go score a goal,” Nachi said.

Per NSAA rules, in the event of a tie after 80 minutes, teams play two 10-minute overtime periods. If there is no score after overtime, the two teams go to a penalty kick shootout.

Nachi had other plans.

“I got all my friends at school watching me and I just couldn’t let them down.”

With the score tied at one with less than a minute to go, Nachi took the ball away from a Millard South player, sprinted towards the opposing goal, and kicked it into the net off of the goalkeeper’s foot. After scoring the decisive goal, an exuberant Nachi ran to the Lincoln East student section to celebrate with his classmates.

The district final win clinched a state tournament berth for the Spartans.

“It was crazy,” Nachi said. “It’s probably the best feeling, to be honest, that a boy can feel.”

HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER SCORES

BOYS

Creighton Preparatory School 3, Elkhorn South 1 (OT)
Lexington 2, Scottsbluff 0
Lincoln East 2, Millard South 1
Mount Michael Benedictine 2, Bennington 1
Nebraska City 2, The Platte 1
Norris 1, Crete 0
Northwest 3, Hastings 0
Omaha Skutt Catholic 3, Ralston 0
South Sioux City 1, Blair 0
Waverly 1, Conestoga 0

GIRLS

Conestoga 3, Plattsmouth 0
Lincoln Pius X 2, Millard West 1 (SO)
Lincoln Southeast 4, North Platte 0
Northwest 2, Hastings 0
Omaha Duchesne Academy 2, Bennington 1
Omaha Marian 3, Millard North 0
Omaha Skutt Catholic 3, Elkhorn 0
Scottsbluff 2, Lexington 0