Bennington Soccer Teams Split with Gretna East on Tuesday, Boys Recognize Seniors

2–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, action shots by Marisa Dawson, senior photos by Chandra Olbrich

Two young male soccer players racing for the ball on a green field during a rainy game.
Trenton Hunter

The Bennington Badgers boys and girls soccer teams faced Gretna East on Tuesday, April 28, with the boys hosting and the girls playing on the road on a rainy evening. The boys delivered a strong 3-0 victory on Senior Night, while the girls fell in a tight 0-1 contest.

Boys Secure 3-0 Win on Senior Night

The Bennington boys varsity soccer team (now 11-3) dominated defensively and capitalized on scoring chances to defeat Gretna East 3-0 at home in a non-conference matchup. Kade Olbrich led the way with a hat trick, while the Badgers kept a clean sheet.

Key Stats (Boys):

– Bennington 3, Gretna East 0
– Goals: Kade Olbrich (3)
– Assists: Tyson Hunter (1), Zander Hanish (1), Brody Bartels (1)
– Goalkeeper Aaden Lee (pictured below): 5 saves, shutout (80 minutes played)

A soccer goalkeeper wearing a pink uniform is preparing to kick a soccer ball on a grassy field.

It was Senior Night for the Badgers, with the following seniors recognized for their contributions: #6 Tobin McGuire, #7 Kade Olbrich, #8 Zander Hanish, #19 Aliu Adekunle, and #24 Sam Viray.

Five male high school seniors pose outdoors, holding wooden boxes with their names and 'SENIOR' written on them, in front of a sports field.
A group of people standing in a line on a track field, facing forward. They are dressed in various athletic and casual clothing, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Head coach Nick Nyman praised the team’s performance following the win. “I really liked our focus in that game. We were defensively sound and that is something we’ve been striving to improve as we approach the postseason,” he said.

On Olbrich’s hat trick and season-long form, Nyman added, “He is a natural goal scorer and does a great job at it. He wants the ball and he wants to put it in the back of the net. When Kade is focused, his game is hard to stop. I’m glad to see him getting good results and know he’s not done yet.”

Nyman also highlighted vital contributions from supporting players. “The Hunter twins [Tyson and Trenton] love to run with the ball and are quite dangerous with it. Usually one of them is on the scoring end of a solid chance or goal,” he said. “The same goes for Zander [Hanish] in our center. He throws out a whole lot of effort and creates opportunities for his teammates to excel, and does so without a lot of the glory some of the other guys get.”

The win was a great addition to an already celebratory atmosphere as the team recognized seniors on the team. “It was a great result for us, especially on a Senior Night,” Nyman noted. “Gretna East isn’t an easy team to play against and has never made it easy. To come away with a solid win and on our Senior Night is great for us, and those 5 guys who spent the last 4 years in the program.”

Nyman shared that this is one of the smallest senior classes they have had. “Each and everyone has found a way to make a contribution to the team and the program, whether that is on the field or assisting off the field,” he added.

Two soccer players in black jerseys jumping to head a ball, while two players in white jerseys watch from the ground.
A group of young male soccer players on a field, with one player in a black uniform dribbling a soccer ball, while others in white chase after him.
Two soccer players on a field, one wearing a black jersey and the other in white, competing for the ball.
Two young male soccer players competing for possession of a soccer ball on a turf field.
Two male soccer players in black uniforms, one about to kick a soccer ball in the air while the other is ready to receive it, on a green turf field.
Two high school soccer players compete for the ball on a grassy field, with teammates and spectators in the background.
A young soccer player in a black uniform prepares to take a corner kick during a match, with a referee and field equipment visible in the background.
A soccer player in a black jersey dribbles the ball on a field, pursued by two opponents wearing white jerseys. The background shows a grassy area and trees.
A soccer game in progress, featuring two players competing for the ball on a green field marked with white lines. One player is wearing a black uniform while the other is in white.
A soccer player in a black uniform with the number 25 is sprinting on the field towards a soccer ball, while several spectators in casual attire observe from the sidelines under overcast weather.
A youth soccer match in progress with players from different teams. A player in a black jersey is about to kick the ball, while another player in a white jersey and a few spectators can be seen in the background.
Two soccer players in action on a field, one in a white jersey and the other in black, competing for the ball.

Girls Drop Narrow 0-1 Decision

The Bennington girls varsity soccer team (now 9-7) battled hard on the road but came up short in a 0-1 loss to Gretna East. The Griffins scored in the second half for the victory.

Key Stats (Girls):

– Bennington 0, Gretna East 1
– Bennington shots attempted: 8 
– Goalkeeper Rilynn Mercer: 13 saves

The Badgers showed resilience with strong goalkeeping and shot volume but were unable to find the net against Gretna East’s defense.

Both Bennington teams continue their seasons with postseason implications on the horizon. The boys look to build momentum from their defensive solidity and senior leadership, while the girls will aim to convert chances in upcoming matches.

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