CRETE, Neb. - For the second year in a row, the Crete Cardinals will represent southeast Nebraska at the Class B NSAA State Soccer Championships.

This year, the Cardinals enter as a higher seed and head to Omaha with higher expectations after a 12-4 season. Head Coach Derek Spence says his team is ready for another shot at a state title.

“I think we feel blessed to win on Saturday to qualify for the fourth time, second time, back-to-back,” Spence said. “We haven’t been able to accomplish what we’ve wanted which is a state championship, but for a lot of guys this will be their first time there so they’ll go down and experience that. I think it’s one of the best venues in sports for soccer.”

A year ago, the Cardinals went to Omaha as the seven seed, falling in the first round to the eventual state champions in Skutt Catholic. But as the six seed after a strong regular season, Crete’s put last year in the rear view. Leading scorer Osvin Garcia and Coach Spence both say a key for success this year has been a strong team bond.

“We’re more than just a team, we’re a family,” Garcia said. “I think that’s very much what’s making us win.”

“It’s that family bond of playing on the weekend and then going to each others house, hanging out and playing games… It’s that true family feeling that’s really lead to success since I’ve taken over,” Spence said.

On top of that, Crete’s seen strong backing from a community that loves soccer. Something that fuels Garcia every single match.

“We’re doing it not just for ourselves, but for all the people that support us,” Garcia said. “I feel like that helps us mentally too. You’re not doing it just for yourself, you’re doing it for your community and the people that love you.”

The state tournament also brings in an element of a bigger field, with more space. Spence says capitalizing on that that space, will be crucial.

“That’s one of the hardest things to prepare for, just how big Morrison is compared to other fields,” Spence said. “Whichever team can capitalize on using that space to their advantage and who can finish… Us and Schuyler have gotten into some high scoring games against other people, but this could come down to a 1-0 game, a 2-1 game, so you have to capitalize on the chances you get.

The Cardinals begin the state tournament at 7:30 CT on Thursday, taking on the Schuyler Warriors a team that’s beaten Crete twice already this season.