GRAND ISLAND — The Central Nebraska El Clasico Cup has returned to Kearney.
The Bearcats regained honors in the annual rivalry with a 2-1 victory over Grand Island Saturday afternoon in windy conditions at Memorial Stadium. Kearney avenged last year’s 3-0 loss to the Islanders and has now won four of six El Clasico matchups.
All of the scoring in this year’s meeting came early.
With the wind at their back in the first half, the Bearcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when Gordy Garner scored on an assist from Aiden Nutter. Grand Island quickly responded when Pedro Ventura found the net on a feed from Selvyn Loarca in the seventh minute.
The tie was short-lived as Kearney’s Kaden Slaymaker converted on an 8-yard shot in the eighth minute for the goal-ahead goal. Garner was credited with the assist.
It was a defensive battle the rest of the way with Kearney (8-2) outshooting the Islanders 14-9. The Bearcats had nine shots on goal compared to just three for Grand Island (5-5).
Kearney returns to action Monday at Fremont. Grand Island is scheduled to play at Lincoln Southeast on Tuesday.
