London and Sonora Defini will once again take their sister organizations to the state soccer tournament.
This time it's just a different color.
The brothers will be on separate teams this week at Morrison Stadium. Sonora, a junior, led Gretna East, a freshman in the program, to a Class B berth, while her older sister London helped three-time Class A champion Gretna return.
“The beginning of this year was definitely weird,” London said. “I think this season has been completely different for us.”
There is no other way than to explain what happens when a school splits, as Ms. Gretna did before this school year.
Even stranger, the two teams met in early April, a game East won in a shootout.
Both schools held a joint prom that night, so the sisters got their nails done together in uniform just an hour or two after competing on the field.
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“We didn’t really talk about it,” London said with a laugh.
That said, we've both been talking a lot about the rest of the year.
Rondon, a Lipscomb member, had 12 goals and 10 assists for the No. 5 Dragons and will begin his Class A defense against No. 4 Lincoln East on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Gretna has won 15 straight postseason games, but has lost more games this season (5 losses) than its last three games combined (1 loss).
London Defini said the setback “lit a fire” for the Dragons.
“I think it's important for them to prove that they're not just part of a better group, but that they've been the core of the last few years,” Gretna first-year coach Rachel Twist said. “They know what it takes and are willing to do what it takes.”
History may be at stake between Sonora and the Griffins.
Oklahoma State is set for 46 goals this year, eight goals shy of the state's single-season record set by Platte View's Katie Hobbs in 1998.
She found the back of the net 12 times in three district games last week, including five times in Gretna East's 10-0 win over Plattsmouth in Saturday's district final.
“It was just incredible to watch,” Griffins coach Chase Hutchison said. “It looks like the whole team, not just Sonora, is coming together offensively. But Sonora is the spear of our attack. I'm trying to move on.
“She puts in the work. She knows what it takes and knows that hard work and accumulation will contribute to the goal. And she's willing to do it.”
Hutchison said it has always been that way. And he would know.
Hutchison, who led Gretna to the past two state titles, recalled a conversation he had with the Sonora player before his freshman season and presented him with options regarding playing time.
Back up your sister and watch for limited time. Or he could move to defense and start on a state championship-level team.
“I knew I just wanted to be on the field,” Sonora said. “I didn't care where I played as long as I played.”
Hutchison added: “For a freshman, it's a mature decision. Some players might have said, 'No, I'm a goalscorer, I score goals, I'm on the front line.'
She went from being a nuisance to defensemen to being a nuisance to forwards.
“She was a great defender,” Hutchison said. “She's good with the ball, she's very physically gifted, and she didn't let anyone get past her or push her off the ball.”
Not surprising considering his pedigree.
Their father, Keith, was a first-team All-American at Creighton University and is in the Blue Jay Hall of Fame. Her older sister Savannah also plays Division 1 soccer at SIU Edwardsville.
“They are very mature for their age, very coachable and love the game of soccer,” Hutchison said. His sister Gianna, an eighth-grader, will play for him at Gretna East next season.
The Class B No. 1 Griffins (18-1) will play No. 7 Columbus Scotus in the first state tournament on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
It's likely going to be a busy week for families in downtown Omaha. Both teams are likely to play in four of the first six days of the tournament. Both women's finals will take place next Monday night.
“Prime Minister Scott Morrison is a great place to be,” London said. “I'll miss you.”