The State Soccer Semi-Finals weekend is here. Let’s take a look at some of the historical facts as we look forward to Neenah vs. Memorial.
State Tournament
The Boys Soccer State Tournament started in 1982 with 1 Division. In 1992 the Tournament split into 2 divisions as the number of schools with teams continued to increase. In 2002 the Tournament went to 3 Divisions and the last change occurred in 2013 when the Tournament went to 4 Divisions. 2013 is also important because that was the first year they reduced the Tournament to 4 Teams. Prior to that, the tournament included the Top 8 teams in the state. With the change in 2013, it is REALLY difficult to make it to the state tournament, only 4 teams is hard! D1 will have 64 teams start in the Regional’s and end up with 4 Sectional winners going to State.
Regionals/Sectionals
EC Memorial is in Sectional 1. Sectional 1 is broken up into two regions.
Region A includes the following teams: Chippewa Falls, DC Everest, EC Memorial, EC North, Hudson, Stevens Point, Superior and Wausau West.
Region B includes the following teams: Appleton East, Appleton North, Appleton West, Bay Port, DePere, Green Bay East, Green Bay Preble and Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln.
Tournament History
From 1982 to 1999 the Tournament was only held between Public Schools. In that period there were 8 different State Champions: Whitefish Bay(3), Madison West(3), Cedarburg(3), Neenah(2), Wauwatosa East(2), Homestead(2), Brookfield East(2) and Brookfield Central.
A big change in 2000. Private schools were added to the group and tournament. You will notice some significant changes based on this decision. Since 2000 there have been 19 tournaments and only 5 winners. Marquette (14), Muskego (2), Middleton, Madison Memorial, and Neenah. The prior 18 tournaments had 8 different winners and the roll call is the elite of Wisconsin soccer. Whitefish Bay (3), Madison West (3), Neenah (2), Cedarburg (3), Wauwautosa East (2), Brookfield Central, Homestead (2), Brookfield East (2). As many of you have heard, the rest of Wisconsin soccer is smiling a little bit this week, and feeling a bit better about their chances to win a state title….Marquette was knocked out of the tournament in the Sectional Semi-Finals. I think their earliest exit since they joined the D1 tournament in 2000. Let’s take a look at Exhibit A of Private School dominance of sports in Wisconsin: Marquette University High School.
In 19 years since being eligible for the tournament, Marquette has participated 18 years. The missed the tournament in 2013 and now again in 2019. In those previous 18 years they have been in the finals 16 times and won the tournament 14 times. So, 74% of the tournaments they have won after the 2019 tournament. 84% of the tournaments they have made it to the finals. Crazy! Just crazy! But not this year, this year we crown a new champion!!
Memorial Tournament History
When you hear Coach Kite refer to EC Memorial as one of the best programs in the State, he is basing that on facts, not just a proud coach. Let’s take a look at the top programs in the state based on tournament appearances. 272 Schools. School/Wins/Division.
- Marquette 18 D1
- Brookfield East 18 D1/D2
- Neenah 17 D1
- Madison West 15 D1
- Whitefish Bay 14 D2
- Middleton 13 D1
- Racine Horlick 12 D1
- Cedarburg 12 D2
- EC Memorial 11 D1 (4 appearances coached by George Oien and 7 coached by David Kite)
- Green Bay Preble 10 D1
- Hudson, Brookfield Central and The Prairie School 9 D1/D2/D4
Other Schools of interest: McDonnel/Regis (3) D3, Chippewa Falls (2) D1, Rice Lake (4) D3, River Falls (2) D2
So lets take a closer look at Memorial’s Tournament History
1999 (0-1) No info on game.
2001 (1-1) Beat Wisconsin Rapids in Quarters-2 Goals by Connor O’Meara. Lost to Marquette in Semis-goal by Chad Hendricks.
2002 (2-1) State Runner Up. 1-0 win over Milton in the quarters-goal by Andy Rapacz assisted by Aaron Czubkowski. With a direct connect to this years team, Aaron’s brother Jacob Peloquin has been a valuable part of the varsity team. You know Jacob wants a win at the state tournament, just so he doesn’t have to hear it from his brother. A 2-0 win over Green Bay Preble-Adam Koger stars with a goal and assist. 4-0 loss to Marquette.
2004 (0-1) 4-2 loss to Middleton in the Quarters. Some players I recognize: Aaron Czubkowski. Patrick McClain in goal and maybe the most successful player from Memorial who played multiple years in MLS including Minnesota FC. Eric Wirth, yes that Eric Wirth, former assistant coach for Memorial.
2008 (0-1) 1-0 loss to Homestead.
2009 (0-1) Loss to DePere 0-0 and 4-2 in the Shootout. Some names you may recognize: Elek Lane (GK), Zach Brown, Collin Printz, Max Sebesta, Neil Klingensmith. At least ones I recognize. A few friends of the family.
2010 (1-1) A 1-0 win over Middleton. I was at this game. Wow. Zach Brown scored in the 7th minute. We have only 2 shots on goal and for the rest of the game it is a defensive battle, save after save. Amazing we hung in to win 1-0. A great memory for Memorial soccer. Elek Lane in Goal was a beast.
2012 (0-1) A 4-0 loss to Marquette. I was at this game as well. Worst conditions ever for a soccer game. 36 degrees, rainy and 40 mph winds. Especially tough as my son Austin was playing in this game. Emotional night for the family. You know Cooper Lyons wanted to get to a state tournament, just so he didn’t have to hear it from his brother.
Important Note. D1 goes to 4 teams at State. In 2013 Memorial lost in the Sectional Final (would have been 1st game at State) to Green Bay Preble on deflected direct kick off a shoulder. Maybe our best chance to win state if not for a late season injury to Scotty Nicolai. Huge bummer. Still hurts thinking about it. Great Team!! Preble loses in the final in a shoot out.
2014 (0-1) 3-1 loss to Marquette. Led by Marcus Wollack and Andy Frank, the Abes keep it interesting. 2-1 at half.
2017 (0-1) A 4-2 loss to Arrowhead after leading at halftime 2-1. Luke
Rosenberger scored the first and Matt Martinez the second. In what can only be described as unusual, Arrowhead scored 3 goals from direct kicks of 40+ yards in the game. Had seen that happen once or twice in my lifetime watching soccer, but 3 in one game. Thought this was a team who had a shot at the title. Cooper did get to a State tournament!
2019. That story still needs to be written. LETS GO ABES!
Looking at the Neenah Match Up
Neenah High School Mascot: Rockets Colors: Red/White Coach: Brian Ross WI Rank: 4 National Rank: 47
Eau Claire Memorial WI Rank: 3 National Rank 31
Common Opponents and other Fun Facts
Neenah played Oshkosh West twice this season in their conference play and in the playoffs, beating them 3-1 each time. During a non-conference road trip to Milwaukee, Memorial rallied from a 1 goal deficit to earn a hard fought 2-1 win over Oshkosh West. I think the game that really started their push to State. Advantage Neenah.
Neenah played and defeated Appleton North in their conference 2-1. Memorial played and defeated Appleton North twice this year…2-1 early in the season and 3-0 in the Sectional Finals. Advantage EC Memorial.
Memorial on a nice 13 game winning streak while Neenah is on a 7 game winning streak. Advantage EC Memorial.
Neenah played in a tougher conference with higher quality opponents. Wins over Homestead and then Arrowhead in the playoffs were pretty impressive wins. Arrowhead the #2 ranked team in state and Homestead the team who knocked off Marquette. A ton of confidence coming into State and playing their best soccer of the season it feels like. Same for Memorial but slight advantage Neenah.
Prediction: A tough, hard fought 1-goal thriller. I am thinking 2-1. And I am really hoping our defense holds up, we can limit Neenah’s chances and somehow find the goal a few times. This could be the year we make it back to the finals and finally the year we bring home the hardware. I am getting a bit nervous just writing that sentence. A lot of years cheering for the Old Abes. I know the boys will bring it….and I am wishing the coaches, players, parents and fans the best. I know it’s going to be fun.