WIAA Soccer State Championship Highlights: Four champions crowned
MILWAUKEE, (CBS 58) -- The conclusion of the boys state soccer season featured six local squads all in the running for state championships spread out through four divisions.
In division one, the drought is finally over. Marquette University High School hadn't won a state title in five years despite being the winningest boys soccer program in the state, but the Hilltoppers got the job done on Saturday. Marquette toppled Hudson, 3-1, scoring three unanswered after surrendering a goal in the second minute.
"It feels amazing. We've been doubted the last few years," said Marquette senior Kevin Brennan. "We've been choking but we shut them all up and we came back and won it this year."
Division two was an all-local clash between top-seeded Wauwatosa East and the defending champions from Whitefish Bay. The Blue Dukes jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Red Raiders fought back in the second half to cut the deficit in half. It wasn't enough though as Whitefish Bay claimed back-to-back D2 state titles, pulling out a 2-1 victory.
"Everyone plays a role; the sophomores, juniors, seniors," said Whitefish Bay senior Reid Muderlak. "I feel like, think the greatest part is we're all like friends. We're teammates but we're friends. We're best friends and our teamwork pushed us through to win."
To division three where St. Thomas More eyed its first state championship in 20 years, facing Edgerton. It was a scoreless contest up until the final seven minutes of the first half when the Cavaliers scored goals in the 33rd and 36th minute. STM would tack on one more in the second half to take home gold with a 3-1 win.
"It's sensational, man, I'm not gonna lie," said Thomas More senior Aiden Knitter." "Since freshman year, I've tried my hardest to help the team win and I got it done this year so I'm really happy."
Finally in division four, 2024 state champion Lake Country Lutheran squared off with 2022 winner Cristo Rey Jesuit. The highlight of the contest was a perfectly lofted pass to Kevin Gomez in the 39th minute, and an even better lob of the goalie by the senior to give the Trailblazers a 1-0 lead. Cristo Rey would hold on for a 2-1 victory and avenge losing its conference title prior to the postseason.
"We worked really hard all season, said Cristo Rey senior Kevin Gomez," "We went through our ups and downs but God made this happen and we're state champions now. We deserve every single bit of every emotion we're having right now."