On Saturday, November 8th, the Brookfield Central Boys Soccer team stepped out under the bright lights of Ulhein Soccer Park, ready to take on Whitefish Bay in the WIAA Boys Division 2 State Semifinal.
This was the team’s return to state championships ever since 2019, when they won the Division 2 Championship against crosstown rivals Brookfield East.
The varsity squad finished mid-table in the Greater Metro Conference, with an overall conference record of one win, four ties, and two losses. The team grew in confidence as the season continued, holding rivals Marquette to a 1-1 tie in early September. However, they battled intermittent injuries that affected players throughout the regular season and playoffs. Senior Emmitt Lee started the season out with a lumbar stress fracture, juniors Aarush Maity and Nickolaus Schnetzky picked up ankle and back injuries, respectively, and freshman Clyde Wiedmeyer also suffered an injury. These were only a handful of the players that had to battle through an exhausting, physical season.
During this year’s run, the team defeated Wisconsin Lutheran (2-0), Waukesha North (4-1), and finally Wauwatosa East (2-0) to clinch their state berth, a marked improvement from their 2-1 loss to Wauwatosa East during the regular season.
Leading up to the game, junior goalkeeper Jonah Kindel recalled the experience of going to state: “On the bus, everyone was living in the moment. Spirits were high…it was great. It just felt so surreal.”
That energy carried into the first half, where they started strong despite going against the wind. The game was fairly even, with close chances for the Lancers and Blue Dukes. The Lancers played a 3-5-2 formation, able to attack with four with the help of a center attacking midfielder. Defense held strong, keeping Whitefish Bay to 0-0 by halftime.
In the second half, the Lancers unfortunately lost their momentum in the 47th minute, when one of Whitefish Bay’s midfielders slotted a low-driven shot past BC’s senior keeper Dean Schaefer to put them 0-1 up.
Frustrations began to mount, with BC giving up a penalty in the following minute. Luckily for the Lancers, the penalty hit the post and the team recouped, driving at the Blue Dukes for the next twenty minutes. Within the 60th and 63rd minute, junior striker Aiden Johnson scruffed up two chances, drawing a free kick and a close looping header attempt off of Schaefer’s punt.
The Lancers tried again and again to break down Whitefish Bay’s back line, trying to build through the midfield and gradually playing more direct. Within the dying minutes of the game, in the 76th minute, Whitefish Bay slotted in another goal to make it 0-2.
Though it was a devastating moment for the team, they held strong, playing out the remaining minutes of the game, bolstered by the incredible crowd that had come for support. Every member of the team had stepped up, both on the sidelines and on the field, keeping their composure against the taunts of the Whitefish Bay student section. Although they may have struggled in the semifinal, it is worthwhile to note that this was the first time anyone on the team had ever made it to state. This accomplishment led to a positive outlook on the loss, especially the seniors.
Throughout the entire conference and playoff season, the boys pushed through injuries, both old and new, their team chemistry keeping them together. Leadership stayed strong, encouraging the team to keep fighting with how far they had come this season. As Emmitt Lee stated, the group had gone “farther than any of us ever thought.”
A warm congratulations goes out to all of the boys and to the coaching staff of the team, as well as every fan that came out to support the moment that had happened against all odds. Great job gentlemen!
