After winning the WIAA Division I State Championship in the year of 2017, many were shocked to hear that the Brookfield Central Girls Soccer program (BCGS) would be competing in Division II the following year. Not only did this bring a new target on the team’s back, but the girls had to play against an entirely new group of high schools.

Current senior Mikayla Lazarski, four-time varsity soccer player, stated that, “Going from D1 to D2 was a big change, especially because other teams had high expectations of us from winning the previous year.” Additionally, with their only loss in the season as a non-conference game against Whitefish Bay, prior 2017 Division II state champions, the team knew that they would have to perfectly execute their style of play in sectionals.

Nevertheless, the Brookfield Central soccer girls managed to come out on top when it truly mattered, pulling off a 2-1 “w” against the Blue Dukes (Whitefish Bay) in the sectional finals. After the closely matched game, the Lancers finished the season by beating Oregon High School 2-0, ultimately earning Brookfield Central another state trophy.

Despite a moderate difference in the roster and division, both the 2017 and 2018 state teams had to fight all the way through the finals, making the hard earned victory that much sweeter. Lazarski goes on to say that, “Winning state a second time felt as good as it did the first time. It was amazing to end the season the way we did, but it is hard knowing that we have big shoes to fill next year”.

Indeed, BCGS lost ten graduating seniors this past year after the championship, almost half of the team. While the seniors will be dearly missed, the same goal will be set for the season ahead, no matter the roster. Although they were not exactly alike, both teams could not have achieved nearly as much without the love and support the Brookfield Central community provided.