Brent Wagner: High school soccer still No. 1 with some players

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Devon Strecker’s voice cracked as he described his emotions. Molly Thomas was crying like a baby.

Strecker had just helped the Millard South boys soccer team reach the state championship match earlier this month. Thomas couldn't hold back tears after winning another state championship for Millard North.

Those reactions following a high school soccer match were  refreshing.

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Devon Strecker

You see, for a few players, the high school season is something of an afterthought, as club soccer seasons have a huge impact on players’ lives.

When you ask 10 good players about their best soccer memory, half of them respond with something about club soccer. The players speak of six straight club state championships, winning against the club team they used to play for and everything their club coach taught them. A few players get senior pictures taken with their club jersey.

It’s not right or wrong, it’s just different from, say, high school football. Club soccer exposes players to good competition, college coaches and allows one-sport athletes to continue playing outside the brief high school season.

Thomas plays 40 club matches a year, but says the game she’ll never forget is winning her second state championship. Strecker can hardly remember his last club soccer match.

Strecker wanted badly to win a state championship, and it happened in his last high school match. He was good all season, and was the best player in the state tournament.

Millard North coach Bill Cunningham saw many of the top players this season, but says Strecker was the best.

“I realize Millard South had a formation, but I think they just kind of said you do what’s effective, because he’s at both ends of the field,” Cunningham said. “I would hate to see him with the ball late in the game, because he’s probably going to get something done.”

Strecker stopped playing club soccer before his sophomore year. A starting running back and cornerback on the Patriot football team, Strecker felt club soccer would interfere with football.

Now he’ll play soccer at Doane, and Strecker has no regrets for missing a few years of club soccer.

“High school is more fast-paced, and it’s good to play with kids from all different age groups,” Strecker said. “And the best kids get on the field. I like it a lot more than club, actually.”

Soccer is the only game Thomas plays, so club soccer has been critical to her continued development.

Thomas committed to play for Nebraska before her sophomore year, and is one of the best players in recent memory. She scored a remarkable 81 goals the past three seasons.

Club and high school teams   have their differences, Thomas said, but that doesn’t mean one is better than the other.

“I love high school, but some people don’t look at it that way, just because I guess club is more intense with the coaches,” Thomas said.

The performances of Strecker and Thomas in the state tournament displayed their abilities. Lots of players scored four or five goals against a lesser opponent, but Strecker and Thomas were both at their finest against the best competition.

Strecker had the goal or assist on each of the Patriots’ scores in the state tournament. Thomas scored all of the Mustangs’ goals in both the semifinal and championship matches.

So, Molly, your best soccer memory?

“Winning state this year,” she said. “It was a good way to end my senior year.”

Reach Brent C. Wagner at 474-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.