State Semifinal Previews

This weekend the revamped State Semifinals take place.  The top four teams have the opportunity to challenge for a medal and in addition, the opportunity to represent Wisconsin at the Midwest Championships in the spring.  Wisconsin has had three teams in the Midwest Championship that last few years and last year we even had a fourth represent.  Wisconsin is anticipating having three again in 2014.  That means this is essentially a double-elimination playoff, for this weekend's losers in the top four, have a chance to qualify for Midwest by winning the 3rd Place match.  Last year also saw WGR's top Division two team, OCHS, play in the Midwest Championship second tier for the first time.

Championship Semis
DSHA v Kettle Moraine  10am Brookfield Soccer Complex (Weyer Rd)
    While DSHA handled KM in their opening week match, it is clear that KM has improved.  Their first week they were adjusting to a new coach.  KM struggled with consistency early in the year and some unfortunate absences in key early season matches.  KM has been playing their best rugby of late, with an impressive scoreline over Oak Creek; in fact, they produced a better scoreline against OCHS than CMHS did.
     DSHA is also playing their best rugby at the moment and they've shown the ability to get better with each match.  They remain a clear favorite to return to their 7th straight final.

CMHS v Vernon 10am Minooka Park
     It's always tough playing the same opponent two weeks in a row, in any sport.   Both teams will be very familiar with what each other does and that may give defenses an edge and make for a tighter match.  CMHS will be the favorite going in, but Vernon always plays the Crusaders hard in this rivalry match.

Consolation Brackets
Brookfield v DSHA jv  12pm Brookfield Soccer (Weyer Rd)
     These playoffs are a chance for teams to play some different clubs and for the Division II teams, after getting some experience early in the year, to play more experienced teams.  The DSHA jv team gets a chance to prove themselves against an established program.  DSHA jv has been extremely strong the last few years, winning two matches in the Midwest Championship bracket last spring.  They could very well come away with another win here.  Brookfield has made several adjustment to their young lineup the last few weeks and could be clicking at the right time.

Oak Creek v Appleton/Fond Du Lac 1130am Minooka Park
     Appleton's impressive debut will conclude with two tough tests against more established teams.  Oak Creek has a chance to end their season on a high note, to end with two consecutive wins, something they haven't been able to do this fall. 

State Tournament Notes:
-This is the 7th Annual State Championship Tournament.  The first tournament was held in 2007.  Prior to that the state champ was determined solely by conference finish.

--Kettle Moraine has a chance to finish in the top three for the fourth consecutive season; the only program besides DS to do so.

--CMHS could become the first team other than DSHA to play in three consecutive state championships, and their fourth in the seven years of the tournament.

--DSHA could play in their unparalleled seventh straight state championship.

-Tournament T-shirt pre-orders are due Sunday. 

-State Records-
2013                Tbd                             Tbd                              Tbd
2012                DSHA                         CMHS                         Kettle Moraine

2011                DSHA                         CMHS                         Kettle Moraine

2010                DSHA                         Kettle Moraine            Brookfield

2009                DSHA                         Brookfield                   Vernon

2008                DSHA                         CMHS                         Vernon

2007                DSHA                         Vernon                         CMHS

2006                DSHA                         Vernon

2005                DSHA                         Vernon

2004                DSHA                         Kettle Moraine

2003                DSHA                         Kettle Moraine

2002                Kettle Moraine            DSHA

2001                DSHA                         Northshore

2000                DSHA                         Kettle Moraine