“Sky” High
Junior Skylar Heinrich Scores Two Goals to Lead Antlers Past the Skyhawks
Junior Skylar Heinrich shoots past the Skutt goalie. The goal put the Antlers up 2-0.
Three consecutive shutouts and a potent offense lead by junior Skylar Heinrich netted the Antlers the team’s first state championship in 10 years. It didn’t take long for the Antlers to impose their dominance over Skutt Catholic, as Heinrich scored on a penalty kick in the first three minutes of the game. With momentum on the Antlers side, the team continued to attack and play stout defense. It was the Antler defense that proved to be the crucial element, as they held Skutt scoreless, a feat that hadn’t been done in almost a year, dating back to the opening of their 2017 season.
Elkhorn coach Troy Stoller credited the team’s goalkeepers, Brooke Carlson and Carly Cameron, who combined for 16 saves during the game.
“They saved their best for this last game,” Stoller said.
The Antler defense wasn’t only strong in the final. The Antlers forced five consecutive shutouts en route to winning the title. Elkhorn’s back four of Lexi Thomsen, Bailey Kehrli, Ally Metschke and Alicia Wixon worked to keep the Skyhawk offense in check.
“When one of our defenders steps up, everyone else pinches in,” junior Ally Metschke said. “Normally one person slows down the player with the ball and waits for help.”
While the defense was stout and stubborn, it was the offense that put points on the board for the Antlers.
It was fitting that Elkhorn’s best player finished her high school career in style. Heinrich scored the only two goals of the championship game and in two completely different ways; one a penalty kick and the other a breakaway. The goals were the junior’s 101st and 102nd as a high school player. The goal scoring machine said she will graduate early to begin her collegiate career at Creighton.
“This was my last chance to get the gold and we did it,” Heinrich said.
The state record for most goals scored is 146, but Heinrich said she never considered staying for one more year. “I’m ready to start pursuing new records somewhere else,” Heinrich said.
Elkhorn finished the season with a 16-3 record, and 10 consecutive wins. This is the third championship in school history for the girls soccer team and this one came with a little extra flare to it, as the win prevented Skutt from winning its third consecutive title.
“It’s really exciting because my sister played for Skutt, and she’s been bragging about it all year,” Heinrich said. “It felt really good to beat her.”
Even though Heinrich is giving up her senior season, she said she knows the team will still be successful.
“I love the team, they are all great,” Heinrich said. “I hope they continue to win next year.”
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