The LSW Boys Soccer Program

Derek Scheich - Program/Varsity Head Coach

Pronunication: "Shike" / Email: dscheic@class.lps.org / Phone: 402-436-1306 ext. 66129 / Twitter: @CoachScheich

Coach Derek Scheich is in his 9th season with The Lincoln Southwest Boys Soccer Program after being appointed Head Coach in the Spring of 2017. He is the 3rd Head Coach in program history. This is his 14th year overall coaching at Lincoln Southwest High School.

Coach Scheich has worked to establish a strong culture of accountability, work ethic, and citizenship during his time at the helm. Prospective and current Program Players are held to the highest standards, values, and expectations on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community. Additionally, they are continuously reminded that the Team comes before the individual. These values are summarized by the Program Ethos of: Work Hard, Hold One Another Accountable, and Play for One Another.

Prior to taking over The LSW Boys Soccer Program, Coach Scheich worked with The LSW Girls Soccer Program as the Reserve Head Coach and Varsity Assistant for 5 seasons from 2012-2016. During his time with The LSW Girls Soccer Program, the team won 4 Heartland Athletic Conference Championships, 5 NSAA District Championships, and made 5 State Tournament Appearances, reaching the Semi-Finals back-to-back in the final two years. He also coached the Reserve Girls Team to consecutive LPS City Championships in 2014 & 2015.

The LSW Boys Soccer Program has continued its strong tradition of success by capturing multiple City, Conference, and District Championships since Coach Scheich took over in 2017. In addition to this, they have qualified for the NSAA State Tournament in 6 Consecutive Seasons (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). 

2021 was a highlight year for The Silver Hawks as they made it all the way to the State Final, ultimately losing in the 7th Round of Penalty Kicks and finishing as the Class A Runner-Up. They also finished ranked #22 Nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Final Poll. In addition to this, the 2021 team set or matched numerous Individual and Team Program Records. At the conclusion of the 2021 Season, Coach Scheich was a Nebraska Coaches Association Nominee for Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. In 2024, The LSW Boys Soccer Program put together another groundbreaking season, completing another Undefeated Regular Season along with capturing every trophy available en route to the Class A Final once more. Unfortunately, they would finish with an 18-1 Record Overall and Class A Runner-Up for the second time in 4 years, falling 3-1 to 11-time State Champions, Creighton Prep. Following the season, The LSW Boys Soccer Program was named a United Soccer Coaches National Top-25 Program, coming in at #23. This would be the second time in 4 Seasons that LSW finished nationally ranked.

Prior to coaching, Coach Scheich played as a Left Back at Lincoln Lutheran High School where he lettered and was part of a Boys Soccer Program that won 3 Class B NSAA District Championships, made 3 Class B NSAA State Tournament Appearances, and reached the NSAA State Tournament Semi-Finals 3 out of 4 years from 2003-2006. After high school, Coach Scheich attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Social Science Education and turned his passion for the game of soccer towards coaching. In addition to coaching Lincoln Southwest, he has also trained teams from Sporting Nebraska FC (SNFC) and The Nebraska Olympic Development Program (ODP).

Coach Scheich holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National C Coaching License, English Football Association (FA) Level 1 Coaching License (Introduction to Coaching Football), United Soccer Coaches (USC) Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma, and Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA) Level 2 Performance Analysis & Opposition Analysis in Football Certificates. Coach Scheich is planning on pursuing his Masters Degree in Kinesiology & Coaching through The University of Nebraska - Kearney. 

At Lincoln Southwest, Coach Scheich is in his 11th year of teaching in the Social Studies Department and 13th year overall in LPS. His subjects include AP Macroeconomics, World History, Government & Politics, and Geography. Outside of teaching and coaching, Coach Scheich enjoys Strength & Conditioning Training, spending time with his wife & daughters, family & friends, dog (Leo), traveling, watching soccer, and listening to soccer podcasts. Coach Scheich is a supporter of Liverpool FC.

Listed below are some of the Program Records, Honors, and Achievements during Coach Scheich's tenure as of 2024:

Overall Record: 102 Wins, 20 Losses (.836 Winning %)

- Lincoln Public Schools City Record: 30 Wins, 5 Losses

- Heartland Athletic Conference Record: 74 Wins, 10 Losses

- NSAA District Tournament Record: 12 Wins, 2 Losses

- 2 NSAA State Tournament Runner-Ups (2021, 2024)

- 2 NSAA State Tournament Finals Appearances (2021, 2024)

- 4 NSAA State Tournament Semi-Final Appearances (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024)

- 6 NSAA State Tournament Appearances (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 ,2024)

- 5 NSAA District Tournament Championships (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024)

- 2 NSAA District Tournament Runner-Ups (2017, 2023)

- 5 Heartland Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships (2017, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024)

- 3 Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament Championships (2018, 2023, 2024)

- 1 Heartland Athletic Conference Regular Season Runner-Ups (2022)

- 1 Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament Runner Ups (2017)

- 2 Heartland Athletic Conference Capitol Division Championships (2023, 2024)

- 4 Lincoln Public Schools City Championships (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024)

- 2 Lincoln Public Schools City Runner-Ups (2017, 2019)

- 3 Silver Hawk-Spartan Community Shields (2021, 2023, 2024)

- 4 Interstate-80 Challenge Cups (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

- 2 Undefeated Regular Seasons (2021, 2024)

- 2 United Soccer Coaches Spring Season Final Top-25 National Rankings (2021 - #22, 2024 - #23)

- LSW Program Single-Season Record - Goals Scored by Team (67 Goals - 2021)

- LSW Program Single-Season Record - Assists by Team (52 Assists - 2019)

- LSW Program Single-Season Record - Least Goals Conceded (7 - 2021**)

- LSW Program Single-Season Record - Clean Sheets (13 - 2021)

- LSW Program Single-Match Record - Goals Scored (11 - 2024)

- LSW Program Single-Match Record - Assists (11 - 2024)

- LSW Program Record - Consecutive Wins (17 - 2021, 18 - 2024)

- LSW Program Record - Consecutive Regular-Season Wins (21 - 2019-2022)

​In addition to this, Coach Scheich has had the opportunity to coach players to the following individual awards and accomplishments:

- 2 Nebraska Boys Soccer Gatorade Player of the Year (2020, 2024)

- 4 Nebraska Boys Soccer Gatorade Player of the Year Nominees (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)

- 5 Lincoln Journal Star Boys Soccer Player(s) of the Year (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

- 12 Lincoln Journal Star Boys Soccer Player(s) of the Year Nominees (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

- 16 All-Nebraska Super-State Selections (w/ 1 Honorary Captain - 2021)

- 20 Nebraska Class A All-State Selections

- 34 Nebraska Class A All-State Honorable Mention Selections

- 39 Heartland Athletic Conference All-Conference Selections

- 42 Lincoln Journal Star All-City Selections (w/ 5 Honorary Captains - 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

- 55 Lincoln Journal Star Academic All-State Selections

- 64 Heartland Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference Selections

- 14 NSAA Academic All-State Selections

- 41 Collegiate Scholarship Players (w/3 NCAA Division I Signings - 2020, 2021, 2022)

- 12 Nebraska High School Soccer Senior Showcase Selections (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

- LSW Program Single-Season Goals Record (20 Goals - 2021, 21 - 2023)

- LSW Program Single-Season Points Record (51 Points - 2021)

- LSW Program Career Clean Sheets Record (26 - 2017-2018)

- LSW Program Career Goals Against Average (0.438 - 2020-2021)

Sam Kiddoo - Junior Varsity Head Coach/Varsity Assistant Coach

Pronunciation: "Kid-dew"  /  Email: samdeankiddoo@gmail.com  /  Phone: 402-436-1306 ext. 4

Coach Sam Kiddoo is in his 6th Season with The LSW Boys Soccer Program as The Junior Varsity Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach. This will be his 12th Season coaching within LPS overall. He brings a great deal of experience and ambition to a team that are perennial contenders for The LPS City Championship. Coach Kiddoo has led the LSW Boys Soccer Program JV Team to a combined 43-7 over the past 3 seasons (.860 Winning %). 

Coach Kiddoo spent two seasons as the Reserve Head Coach at Lincoln High School from 2018-2019, finishing as the LPS City Runner-Up in 2018. Prior to that, Coach Kiddoo was a Volunteer Assistant with Lincoln East High School before spending 5 Seasons as the Reserve Head Coach from 2013-2017, winning 2 LPS City Championships during that span. Despite some difficult circumstances throughout the season, Coach Kiddoo guided the LSW Junior Varsity Team to a 9-2 Overall Record in 2021. The two losses were the result of a 1-0 scoreline and a Shootout loss. In 2022, Coach Kiddoo guided the JV Team to the LPS City Title and an Undefeated 13-0 Perfect Season. Coach Kiddoo accomplished this feat yet again in 2024, winning the LPS JV City Title and going a perfect 13-0. 

A strong sporting background has encouraged and allowed Coach Kiddoo to pursue coaching in a variety of disciplines. He has previously coached swimming at various levels and coached The LSW Boys Reserve Tennis Team to two consecutive LPS City Championships in 2019 and 2020. He was promoted to Head Coach of the LSW JV Boys Tennis Team in the Fall of 2021 and led them to a Runner-Up finish in the LPS City Championships. Coach Kiddoo is a graduate of Lincoln East High School in 2008, where he played as a Midfielder while lettering in Soccer and was a State Champion Swimmer in multiple events.

Coach Kiddoo is currently in the process of acquiring his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Grassroots Coaching License and United Soccer Coaches (USC) Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma. 

In addition to coaching, Coach Kiddoo works full-time with K&Z Distributing Co. in Lincoln. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their 2 kids, cycling, traveling, camping, taking their dog (Porter) for walks, and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys playing in a variety of adult soccer leagues in town. Coach Kiddoo is a supporter of Liverpool FC.

Taylor Taege - Reserve Head Coach/Varsity Assistant Coach

Pronunciation: "Tay-gee" / Email: tltaege@gmail.com / Phone: 402-436-1306 ext. 4

Coach Taylor Taege is in his 12th Season as The LSW Boys Soccer Reserve Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach. This is his 14th Season overall coaching at LSW. Coach Taege initially served as a Volunteer Assistant and was on the 2014 Staff that won the NSAA Class A State Championship.

As a graduate of LSW and former player for the LSW Boys Soccer Program, Coach Taege has a strong passion for developing players as they continue to improve their tactical/technical abilities at the Reserve Level. He is one of the most successful Reserve Head Coaches within Lincoln Public Schools and has never had a losing season.

Some of Coach Taege's coaching highlights include guiding the Reserve squad to an Undefeated 13-0 Perfect Season and the LPS Reserve City Title in 2018. During that season, the Reserve Team defeated Creighton Prep for the first time in Reserve program history. In 2019, Coach Taege secured a second-consecutive LPS Reserve City Title. In 2021, Coach Taege guided his team to a a 9-1-1 Record and a 3rd Consecutive LPS Reserve City Title. Coach Taege had a bounceback season in 2023 going 8-3-1 and locking up a 4th LPS Reserve City Title in 5 years. In 2024, Coach Taege secured his 5th LPS Reserve City Title en route to an 11-1 Record. Since taking over as The LSW Boys Soccer Reserve Head Coach, Taege has compiled an Overall Record of 85 Wins, 17 Losses, and 3 Draws (.810 Winning %).

Coach Taege is currently in the process of acquiring his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Grassroots Coaching License.

Coach Taege attended The University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he graduated with a Degree in Human Development & Family Studies in 2015. Currently, Coach Taege is in Management with Basic Block Software & Financial Solutions in Lincoln. In his free time, Coach Taege enjoys traveling, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends. Coach Taege is a supporter of Manchester City FC.

Braeden Bestmann - Volunteer Varsity Assistant Coach

​Coach Braeden Bestmann will be in his 4th Season with The LSW Boys Soccer Program, and 3rd in a Volunteer Varsity Assistant role after working with The LSW Boys Soccer Program in 2022 as a Volunteer Video & Match Analyst. Coach Bestmann is well versed in the ways of The LSW Boys Soccer Program having been a mainstay in the LSW Program from 2018-2021. Bestmann lettered all 4 seasons during his time at LSW and graduated in 2021.

During his time as a player in the LSW Boys Soccer Program, Coach Bestmann started at Center Back and helped the team to a 46-6 Record, winning 2 LPS City Championships, 2 HAC Regular Season Championships, 1 HAC Tournament Championship, 3 NSAA District Championships, 3 NSAA State Tournament Appearances, 2 NSAA State Tournament Semi-Finals Appearances, and an NSAA State Tournament Runner-Up his Senior Season. Bestmann captained the team his Junior and Senior Seasons and was a Lincoln Journal Star & Omaha World Herald 1st Team Super-State Selection, All-State Selection, All-Conference Selection, and All-City Selection his Senior Year. He also was on the 3-Man Shortlist for the 2021 Journal Star Prep Player of the Year.

During Coach Bestmann's time coaching with LSW, the team has made 3 State Tournament Appearances, reaching the Semi-Finals twice, and one Final where they finished as Runner-up. The team has posted a record of 47-8 during his time coaching. Coach Bestmann was integral to LSW's Defense only conceding 11 Goals all season, the best in Class A. 

Currently, Coach Bestmann is pursuing a degree in Biology at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He is an active participant in Young Life, is a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and has played for the UNL Club Soccer Team. He also enjoys fishing, concerts, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Coach Bestmann is a supporter of Liverpool FC.

Leighton Jeppson - Volunteer Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Leighton Jeppson will be in his 3rd season with The LSW Boys Soccer Program, and 2nd as a Volunteer Varsity Assistant. Leighton spent the 2023 season in a Volunteer Varsity Video and Match Analyst role. Coach Jeppson is no stranger to the LSW Boys Soccer after having been one of the first names on the team sheet from 2019-2022. Jeppson lettered all 4 years during his time at LSW and graduated in 2022.

During his time as a player in The LSW Boys Soccer Program, Coach Jeppson started at both Center Back and Midfield while helping the team compile an overall record of 42-8. He also helped the team to 1 LPS City Championship, 1 HAC Regular Season Championship, 3 NSAA District Championships, 3 NSAA State Tournament Appearances, 1 NSAA State Tournament Semi-Final Appearance, and 1 NSAA State Tournament Runner-Up his Junior Season.  Coach Jeppson also Captained the team his Senior season and was named a Lincoln Journal Star & Omaha World Herald 2nd Team Super-State Selection, All-State Selection, All-State Honorable Mention, All-Conference Selection, and All-City Selection during his time at LSW.

During Coach Jeppson's time coaching with LSW, the team has made 2 State Tournament Appearances, reaching the Semi-Finals twice, and one Final where they finished as Runner-up. The team has posted a record of 34-5 during his time coaching. Coach Jeppson was integral to LSW's Defense only conceding 11 Goals all season, the best in Class A. 

Currently, Coach Jeppson is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He is a member of the UNL Honors Program and an active Young Life member. Jeppson also enjoys working out, concerts, spending time with family & friends, and playing Intramural Athletics at UNL. Coach Jeppson is a supporter of Liverpool FC.

Steve Pointon - Volunteer Varsity Assistant Coach

Email: spointon@nebrwesleyan.edu / Twitter: @pointy007

Coach Steve Pointon will be in his 2nd Season as a Volunteer Varsity Assistant with The LSW Boys Soccer Program, however he is no stranger to the soccer landscape in Lincoln and throughout the State of Nebraska. Coach Pointon brings a wealth of experience, ambition, and insight to the program having coached at multiple levels, associations, and programs.

Coach Pointon is a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland and has been involved with playing and coaching soccer for the majority of his life. After arriving in the US in 2007, Coach Pointon gained valuable experience coaching high school soccer in several states as well as being involved in Nebraska Olympic Development Program (ODP). Coach Pointon has been coaching soccer within LPS for the past 10 years with both Lincoln East (2013-2016) and Lincoln High School (2017-2023). In addition to this, he has worked as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Men's Soccer Program at Nebraska Wesleyan University since 2018 and 2021 respectively. He has been instrumental is helping turn NWU back into a dominant force in the American Rivers Conference/NCAA Division III. He also has worked as a Sporting Kansas City Clinic Coach.

A highlight for Coach Pointon was helping build up a Lincoln High Program which achieved a winning season for the first time in 15 years in 2021. That same year he guided the LHS JV Team to his first LPS JV City Championship. Coach Pointon personally had a banner year during his final season with the Lincoln High JV Team in 2023, going 10-1 and wining a second LPS JV City Championship. Coach Pointon’s Career Record for JV within LPS stands at 43 Wins and 16 Losses (.729 Winning %). In Coach Pointon's first season with The LSW Boys Soccer Program, the team went on a historic run finishing 18-1, and winning every honor available en route to a Class A Runner-Up finish. With great man-management experience as well as astute in-game tactical perspective, Coach Pointon was instrumental in helping the 2024 Team put together a very special campaign.

Coach Pointon holds a Unted States Soccer Federation (USSF) National C License and a United Soccer Coaches (USC) National Diploma. He is also an NFHS Accredited Interscholastic Coach.

Outside of soccer, Coach Pointon is the Senior Pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, NE and holds a Degree in Law & Politics from Ulster University. He also is an Adjunct Professor at Nebraska Wesleyan and serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Lancaster County. Additionally, Coach Pointon has spent time delivering over 200 workshops on conflict/peacemaking in Northern Ireland and Serbia. Coach Pointon is married to Rev. Dr. Melodie Jones Pointon and has two kids, Phoebe and Eli. In his free time, He also enjoys growing spicy peppers and eating spicy food. Coach Pointon is a supporter of Liverpool FC & Portsmouth FC.

Isaiah Shaddick – Volunteer Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Isaiah Shaddick will be in his 2nd Season as a Volunteer Varsity Assistant with the LSW Boys Soccer Program, but is no stranger to Lincoln Southwest, having written his name into the record books from 2016-2019. Coach Shaddick was a 3-Year Letterwinner and graduated in 2019. He is looking forward to bringing a vast amount of experience, perspective, and energy to the program this season.

During his time as a player with The LSW Boys Soccer Program, Coach Shaddick played in a variety of attacking roles for the Silver Hawks and helped the team compile an overall record of 41-10. In addition to this, the team won 1 LPS City Championship, 2 HAC Regular Season Championships, 1 HAC Tournament Championship, 2 NSAA District Championships, and made 2 NSAA State Tournament Appearances, with 1 NSAA State Semi-Final Appearance. During his Senior Season, Shaddick set the, then Program Record for Goals Scored in a Single Season (20) and still holds the Program Record for Points Scored in a Single Season (51). For his exploits, Shaddick was recognized as a Lincoln Journal Star & Omaha World Herald 1st Team Super-State Selection, All-State Selection, All-Conference Selection, All-City Selection, and was the Honorary Captain of the Team. Additionally, he was recognized as the 2019 Lincoln Journal Star Prep Player of the Year. Shaddick also served as Team Captain his Senior Year and was recognized as the Offensive and Team Most Outstanding Player. 

Upon graduating LSW, Coach Shaddick accepted an Athletic Scholarship to Concordia University – Seward (CUNE). He would go on to make 81 Appearances and scored 20 Goals to go along with 19 Assists, becoming the first and only player in CUNE Program History to tally those numbers. During his time at CUNE, program highlights included winning The GPAC Tournament and qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament in 2022. They also recorded an Undefeated Regular Season for the first time in program history in 2023, going 13-0-4. Coach Shaddick was recognized as a 2x GPAC All-Conference Selection, 4x NAIA Scholar Athlete, and an NAIA/DIII All-Midlands Selection during his time at CUNE. Shaddick also served as a Team Captain during his 5th Year.

In Coach Shaddick's first season with The LSW Boys Soccer Program, the team went on a historic run finishing 18-1, and winning every honor available en route to a Class A Runner-Up finish. Coach Shaddick offered great advice to players having just completed his own storied playing career and was integral to the team finishing 2nd in Class A for Goals Scored with 54 on the season.

Coach Shaddick recently graduated from Concordia with a Business Administration Degree. He currently works with UNICO Group in Lincoln. In his spare time, Shaddick enjoys spending time with family & friends, traveling, and cutting hair. Coach Shaddick is a supporter of Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, and Orlando SC.

Jack Bennett – Volunteer Varsity Assistant Coach - Goalkeepers

Coach Jack Bennett will be in his 1st Season with The LSW Boys Soccer Program as a Volunteer Varsity Assistant Goalkeeping Coach. This will be Bennett’s first year helping coach at the High School level, but he comes to our program with an impressive playing and coaching CV built both in the US and abroad. Coach Bennett takes over from the departing Callum Goldsmith, whom he coached at Concordia University - Seward. 

Coach Bennett hails from Oxfordshire, England where he grew up playing with Brackley Town FC of the National League North. Eventually he made his way to the US after signing to play at Concordia University – Seward in 2015. While at CUNE from 2015-2018, Coach Bennett helped The Bulldogs through one of their most successful 4-year stretches in program history helping them compile an overall record of 48-22-10, winning a GPAC Tournament Championship in 2015, and finishing as Runner-Up twice. In recognition of his efforts, Coach Bennett was selected as a 2-Time GPAC All-Conference Selection and an All-Midwest Region Selection. He was also served as a Team Captain and was named Team MVP.

After wrapping up his collegiate playing career, Coach Bennett returned home to England and subsequently signed with Bradford Park Avenue AFC of the National League North. He also had a half-season spell with Kettering Town FC. During his time playing in England, Coach Bennett faced well-known EFL Clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town, and Bradford City. Following the halt of football matches due to the pandemic in 2020, he returned to Nebraska where he served as a Graduate Assistant Goalkeepers Coach for CUNE. During his time with the program, he helped coach both the Men’s and Women’s Goalkeepers, which resulted in a GPAC Championship for the Women’s Team and multiple All-Conference Selections for both programs. In addition to coaching with CUNE and LSW, Coach Bennett has coached with Gretna Elite Academy, Sporting Nebraska, and is the Head of Goalkeeping for The Nebraska Olympic Development Program (ODP).

Coach Bennett holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National D Coaching License, United Soccer Coaches (USC) Level 1 Goalkeeping Diploma, and a Football Association (FA) Level 2 Coaching Certificate. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fitness Studies and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in May of 2022 from CUNE.

In his spare time, Coach Bennett enjoys spending time with family & friends, golfing, traveling, cycling, hiking, and playing video games. Coach Bennett is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC.