Westside boys soccer is opening up their season on Friday on their home field. They are returning 15 of 23 players that were on last season’s roster. One of the returning players is senior Jeremiah Hteh. He was named an all state soccer player in 2023 with being the second leading scorer in class A with 21 goals. He shared his goals for the season. 

“My goals this season are to do better than last season because there’s always room for improvement,” Hteh said. “I also to make it to state and hopefully win a state championship.” 

Westside has won two state championships in 1998 and 2004. They appeared in the state tournament 18 times and have been to the finals seven times. Last season they lost in the district finals to Gretna with a score of 5-2. Head coach Mike Dean expressed how the team is feeling going into the season. 

“I know it’s only been a week, but the mood and confidence in the team has been growing everyday,” Dean said. “The players know that we have some quality among them, but it’s going to take hard work to accomplish our goals.”

Hteh set a school record last season with five goals in a match against Omaha Westview. He explained how he prepared himself mentally and physically for this season. 

“I have prepared myself mentally and physically because ever since we lost are district title game I knew we had to do better, and mentally I knew I had to write down my goals for the next season, and what to do better,” Hteh said. “Physically I practiced my weak points and made my strengths better because I wanted to get better and improve on myself.”

Last season they had a game record of 10-7. There were many successful players such as senior all-state defender Luke Noameshie, as well as senior Peter Wanjohi who scored five goals last year. Coach Dean shared what the team is looking forward to for the season

“This group really likes being together,” Dean said. “They want to make the most out of the spring and give each other memories that last a long time, so they know success is the best way to create those memories.”

Westside finished as runner-ups five times at the state tournament. The highest finish they had recently was in 2022 which was one of the times they finished as runner-ups. Dean explained the team’s goals for this year. 

“Well, we’re taking the full season goals with going one at a time,” Dean said. “Our main focus is Lexington in our first game, But at the end of the day, we expect to play at Morrison Stadium in May.”