Xavier advances to Division 4 state soccer championship recreation with 1-0 win over Lake Nation Lutheran – The Submit-Crescent

MILWAUKEE − Ellie Reed is a freshman, however she could have scored probably the most vital purpose prior to now 10 years for the Xavier women soccer program.
The 5-foot-5 midfielder fielded a rebound off a shot try and tapped in what proved to be the game-winning purpose 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 are going to play both Ozaukee/Random Lake or Washburn.
Reed’s purpose 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 mentioned when requested if it was the largest purpose 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.”
Pictures on purpose had been arduous to return by for Xavier, so Jannette was able to reap the benefits of any clearing within the Lightning protection.
“In a recreation like this, it is so forwards and backwards so it’s a must to take each likelihood which you can get,” Jannette mentioned. “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 purpose from Reed put Xavier in a superb place and the Hawks’ protection did the remainder. 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 mentioned the workforce could have been on the lucky finish of some performs within the victory.
“There is not any ability concerned in being fortunate, however they had been in the proper place on the proper time,” Meyer mentioned. “(Reed’s) a freshman … she all the time hustles.”
With temperatures anticipated within the mid-90s for the championship recreation, Jannette mentioned the workforce will do what it takes to be ready for the situations.
“We’re undoubtedly going to must drink lots of water and have some electrolytes,” she mentioned. “We often have a workforce breakfast or dinner earlier than, so we’ll in all probability maintain one another accountable throughout that.”
Meyer mentioned he and the workforce don’t fret an excessive amount of about who they may 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) in opposition to (third seed),” he mentioned. “You understand, they’ll get overloaded with info generally. And I am too outdated to try this. My mind’s solely acquired a lot house 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 had been within the state event in 2014.
“Clearly we need to go for the gold,” she mentioned. “We now have a fairly younger workforce, so it is an unimaginable alternative as a result of we have not been to state in 11 years, so it could actually be wonderful to carry it residence.”

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