MILWAUKEE – Playing in extreme conditions didn’t faze the Xavier girls soccer team in the WIAA Division 4 state championship game June 21.
The Hawks got an early goal from Sydney Neilitz, another in the second half from Helayna Krueger and rode fantastic defense to a 2-0 shutout of Ozaukee/Random Lake at Uihlein Soccer Park with temperatures in the mid-90s and consistent windy conditions.
It is the first state championship for the Hawks since 2008 and completed a dominating postseason in which they outscored their opponents 24-1.
Neilitz said the title was extra special for her because her aunt Sena Neilitz played on the 2005 title team.
“It’s been a long time, and it feels great to bring something back to Xavier,” Neilitz said. “My aunt Sena was one of the last girls to win state for Xavier. So it was great to have her here today to support us and I think it means so much to that group of girls and it means so much to the whole community for us to show up, especially as a young team and make it happen.”
Sydney Neilitz, who is also a volleyball standout for the Hawks in the fall, booted in the Hawks’ first score. The junior took a pass from Kate Jannette to find the back corner of the goal.
“It was a great run by Kate Jannette to chase that ball down and place a great ball right through middle at about the 18,” Neilitz said. “I was able to yell at Helayna (Krueger), my other forward. She heard me and let it roll and I had a nice left-foot and open shot to the right side. It was great to see.”
Xavier’s defense did the rest, hounding Ozaukee/Random Lake and limiting its offense to just one shot on goal for the game and no corner kicks. The Hawks, conversely, had 12 shots on goal and eight corner kicks.
Reagan Valinski, the Hawks senior defender, said her mentality was to go all out because it was her final competitive soccer game.
“It was just keep pushing, just keep pushing,” she said. “It’s my last-ever game. I’m not playing in college. It was just keep pushing forward and do it for everyone else. Play for the underclassmen.
“It’s like I’m doing it for me, but also the fans that drove the two hours to be here. It’s just a fantastic experience and I’m so glad we went out the best possible way we could.”
Xavier put the game out of reach with Krueger’s goal at 54:40 in the second half. Krueger lifted a beautiful shot left of the box that settled in the far right corner. Krueger, a freshman, led the Hawks in goals this season.
Xavier, the top seed, was making its 12th WIAA state appearance, including 11 appearances from 2003 to 2014, with state titles in 2004 (D3), 2005 (D2) and 2008 (D2).
“We got better over the last few years,” Xavier coach John Meyer said. “This year, we had five freshmen and they were very talented. We had good leadership in the captains. I’m happy, that’s all I can say.”
Xavier says goodbye to three seniors — Valinski, Keira Peterson and Ava Leyden.
“I think that in 10 years when I have my kids and everything, I’m going to want them to have this experience,” Valinski said. “This is such a good experience and I’ll never forget something like this because this doesn’t happen every day. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: ‘I’ll never forget something like this’: Xavier Hawks win WIAA Division 4 state girls soccer title
Reporting by Ricardo Arguello, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
