MILWAUKEE − Ellie Reed is a freshman, however she could have scored probably the most vital aim prior to now 10 years for the Xavier ladies soccer program.
The 5-foot-5 midfielder fielded a rebound off a shot try and tapped in what proved to be the game-winning aim in Xavier’s 1-0 victory over Lake Nation Lutheran on June 19 in a WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at Uihlein Soccer Park.
The victory catapults top-seeded Xavier (19-3-1) to the state title match June 21 at 1:30 p.m. They may play both Ozaukee/Random Lake or Washburn.
Reed’s aim got here within the 61st minute and got here off a shot from junior ahead Kate Jannette that bounded off the palms of Lake Nation Lutheran goalie Rachel Malm and into Reed’s possession.
“Just about, yeah,” Reed stated when requested if it was the most important aim in her life. “(Jannette) had a extremely good shot and it hit off her palms, so then I simply adopted it in. We sort of collided and I do not know, I simply kicked it in.”
Photographs on aim have been arduous to return by for Xavier, so Jannette was able to benefit from any clearing within the Lightning protection.
“In a recreation like this, it is so forwards and backwards so it’s important to take each probability that you would be able to get,” Jannette stated. “I had a gap, so I assumed I’d as properly go for it.”
Xavier’s offense had been prolific heading into the state event, scoring 21 targets over the 4 video games in regionals and sectionals.
Fourth-seeded Lake Nation Lutheran (9-8-2) was as much as the problem, and by no means let the Hawks get comfy on offense. The Lightning held the benefit in photographs (13-6) and nook kicks (4-3).
The aim from Reed put Xavier in place and the Hawks’ protection did the remaining. They turned away three late shot makes an attempt by Lake Nation Lutheran to protect the victory and transfer on to the ultimate.
Xavier coach John Meyer stated the workforce could have been on the lucky finish of some performs within the victory.
“There is no talent concerned in being fortunate, however they have been in the appropriate place on the proper time,” Meyer stated. “(Reed’s) a freshman … she all the time hustles.”
With temperatures anticipated within the mid-90s for the championship recreation, Jannette stated the workforce will do what it takes to be ready for the situations.
“We’re positively going to must drink a whole lot of water and have some electrolytes,” she stated. “We often have a workforce breakfast or dinner earlier than, so we’ll most likely maintain one another accountable throughout that.”
Meyer stated he and the workforce don’t fret an excessive amount of about who they are going to play within the championship recreation.
“You get too caught up on a few of that stuff. I do know nothing besides it is (second seed) towards (third seed),” he stated. “You recognize, they’ll get overloaded with data generally. And I am too outdated to do this. My mind’s solely bought a lot area in there, clearly years of dwelling and training folks.”
Jannette added the workforce is prepared for a shot at one other state title, which might be their first since a D2 crown in 2008. The Hawks final have been within the state event in 2014.
“Clearly we need to go for the gold,” she stated. “We’ve a fairly younger workforce, so it is an unimaginable alternative as a result of we’ve not been to state in 11 years, so it might actually be superb to deliver it dwelling.”

