The Dragons captured the NSAA Class B boys soccer championship with an 8-2 victory over Lexington at Creighton University’s Morrison Stadium. The moment they had been chasing all season finally arrived all at once on May 20 after the final whistle. Freshman Nate Thiellen scored twice, junior Alex Sowinski added two goals, senior Elijah Fulton recorded a hat trick and senior Sawyer Hehn added another. After months of training, close games and constant pressure, everything the Dragons had worked for had paid off.

“There isn’t a better feeling in the world,” Fulton said. He also served as a team captain. “It feels great to finally reach the team’s end goal.”

For Gretna, the state title marked the program’s first championship since 2022. For junior Alex Sowinski, the moment carried extra meaning. His older brother was part that 2022 championship team, and after the final whistle this season, that connection was immediately on his mind. 

“I was really thinking about my brother,” Sowinski said. “He won it in his junior year, and I won it in mine also.” 

Sowinski returned to Gretna this season and quickly became one of the team’s biggest playmakers. In the State final, he scored twice on free kicks, including a long-range strike that helped put the game out of reach. 

“Those two are definitely replaying [in my mind],” Sowinski said. “And obviously, the final whistle blowing is a moment I keep remembering.” 

Even with the individual performances across the team, players consistently pointed back to the bond within the group as the biggest reason for the championship run.

“Our team’s chemistry stuck out the most. Everyone wanted to play together, and we all knew the end goal was to win state,” said Fulton. 

That chemistry was built long before the postseason began. Players spent time together through team dinners, training sessions and simple moments that became lasting memories throughout the season. 

The time spent together off the field translated directly into the way the team played during its championship run.

“The group chemistry was through the roof,” Fulton said. “We all spent so much time together and have played together for a while. Our chemistry is what brought us to the state championship.”

For players like Sowinski, some of the strongest memories from the season came from the smaller moments spent together away from games and practices.

“One [memory] that I would say is most memorable would be going to Chipotle after training before the season started,” Sowinski said. “It was fun just chilling with the boys and talking.” 

Sowinski also laughed while talking about some of his favorite team-bonding memories during the season.

“Playing hacky sack with the boys before a game or soccer tennis in the locker room,” Sowinski said. “Those are always great.” 

According to first-year head coach John Cover, the connection between players was clear from the beginning of the season. 

“The chemistry of the group is almost unlike any I have been a part of,” Cover said. “There are so many family and brotherly ties in the group. They are always around each other.” 

Cover said the team’s passion for the Gretna program stood out during the offseason and continued throughout the year. 

“I could see it in open play and lifting in the winter, and I knew this group was going to be special,” Cover said. 

The Dragons also leaned on senior leadership throughout the season. Fulton said players constantly pushed each other during practices and games.  

“From the bottom to the top of the roster, we all just pushed each other to be the best at every single practice and in every single moment,” Fulton said. 

That mentality became especially important later in the season. Sowkinski admitted the team was not always playing its best soccer heading into State, but a difficult match against Elkhorn North helped reset the group’s focus. 

“We all knew we had to play as one,” Sowkinski said. “I feel like the last two games we played were our best games of the season by far.” 

The result was a dominant championship performance.

“It still hasn’t really hit,” Sowinski said. 

For Cover, the memories that will last the longest are not necessarily the goal or scorelines, but the moments spent with the team throughout the season

“I know that I’ll remember the small moments with the boys, the laughs, and their personalities,” Cover said. “As well as how much of a joy it was to be with this group.”