Using his speed to weave through defenders, he finds himself 1v1 against the goalkeeper. Making sure to stay composed, he aims for the corner, shoots, and scores! Senior soccer player Andrew Sutton starts at striker on the Elkhorn High boys soccer team.

“Strikers basically try to shoot goals as much as they can,” Sutton said.

As the top of the formation, a striker’s main objective is to score in whatever way they can. From tap-ins to outside of the box shots, they do it all.

“A personal goal I have is to try to score a hat trick,” Sutton said.

In soccer, a hat trick means three goals in a single game, which is not an easy feat. Along with this measurable goal, Sutton additionally attempts to do the simple things in his games to benefit his team.

“I try to finish on the ball and pass to my teammates as best as I can,” Sutton said.

The Antler’s have had some tough opponents so far, but have found a way to battle through and continue to get some gritty wins.

“Our season started out a little rough, we started 5-5, but now I think we are 8-5,” Sutton said.

In one of those eight wins, Sutton had a standout performance versus Omaha Gross Catholic, beating the Cougars 3-0.

“A highlight of mine this season was when I scored two goals against Gross, with around five minutes between them,” Sutton said.

This whole season, Sutton has been determined to achieve a big goal of his during his last year of high school soccer.

“My main goal for the team is to go to state,” Sutton said.

Despite this simple statement, the road to state is easier said than done. Before even playing in a district final match to determine if they go to state, they must first be in the top 16 in Class B in order to make a district final.

“To get to state we are going to have to beat Lincoln Northwest and hopefully beat Bennington,” Sutton said.

Since this interview, the Elkhorn boys soccer team has improved to 9-7, with a 4-2 win over Lincoln Northwest, and a nail-biting 1-0 loss to top-ranked Bennington in sub-districts. The team traveled to face #4 Lexington in the district final, but came up just short of state with 2-1 loss to close out the season.