A Bitter End in Madison
On June 19, the Ozaukee/Random Lake co‑op girls soccer squad traveled to the University of Wisconsin‑Madison’s state‑tournament venue, only to watch their championship hopes evaporate in a 4‑0 defeat at the hands of Xavier.
The loss marked the second straight year the team fell to the Hawks in the Division 4 semifinals, a streak that has left coaches and players searching for answers.
Compounding the setback, the roster was shorthanded. Leading scorer Mya Schroeder missed the match, and defender Addison Kurlinkski was also unavailable, while senior midfielder Faith Wilson suffered an early injury that forced a tactical reshuffle.
Xavier seized control early, with Helayna Krueger opening the scoring in the ninth minute. She added a second goal before halftime, the latter set up by Khloe Standish, and completed her hat trick in the 71st minute after a corner kick delivered by Kayla Standish.
The Hawks’ dominance was reflected in the shot chart: Xavier out‑shot the opposition 23‑0 and held a 14‑0 edge in shots on target, underscoring the defensive pressure that the Ozaukee/Random Lake side struggled to withstand.
Despite the final score, the team’s season was defined by resilience. The players finished the campaign with a mix of youthful talent and seasoned seniors, many of whom will return next year with a clearer picture of the depth needed to compete at the state level.