Madison (WKOW) — The WIAA State Girls Soccer Championships are in full swing, with Xavier advancing to the final after a dominant 4-0 semifinal victory over Ozaukee/Random Lake, while Kiel and Brookfield Central prepare for their own high-stakes matches. The event, held at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, features multiple teams vying for state titles, with live coverage available via WKOW and other platforms.
Xavier’s Dominance in the Semifinals
Xavier’s sophomore Helayna Krueger led the charge, scoring three of the team’s four goals in a 4-0 win against Ozaukee/Random Lake on June 18. The victory propelled the No. 1-seeded Hawks to the state championship game, where they will face No. 2 The Prairie School on June 20. Krueger, who has 54 goals this season, said, “We’re heading to the state championship for the second time in a row. I feel like we deserve this. It’s very well deserved.”
Xavier’s defense was instrumental, limiting Ozaukee/Random Lake to zero shots. “Defense on our team really, I’m really, really grateful for them,” Krueger added. Coach John Meyer emphasized the importance of leadership, noting, “We just got leadership and that’s what you look for, and the captains, yeah, that helps.”
Kiel’s Pursuit of a State Title
Kiel’s girls’ soccer program, which has reached the state tournament every year since 2022, faces New Berlin Eisenhower in the Division Three semifinal. The Raiders, led by captains Taavi Saeger and Jasmine Bink, have an unbeaten record of 23-0-1 this season, with 19 of their 24 opponents failing to score. “Our defense is so proud of what we’ve accomplished so far,” Bink said, highlighting their nine consecutive shutouts.
Head Coach Mike Pritchard credited the team’s senior class for their success, stating, “They’ve been great leaders all four years and contributed so much to this program.” Despite reaching the state tournament five times, Kiel has yet to win a title, with previous runs ending in semifinal losses. “Getting there and coming up short obviously has been tough,” Saeger admitted, “but it doesn’t take away from the fact that we’ve been able to get there.”
Brookfield Central’s Title Defense
Brookfield Central, making its 16th state tournament appearance, is defending its 2025 championship. Coach Dan Makal praised his team’s cohesion, noting, “They just have a ton of really good guidance from our senior class.” The Lancers, who shut out all 12 of their regular-season opponents, have a roster of 25 players with goals, including senior captain Dylan Romero, who has 12 goals and three assists this season.
Defensively, Brookfield Central is anchored by sisters Kara and Bre Delisle, who have allowed just eight goals in 15 matches. Makal said, “They are really solid and really good players.” The Lancers’ playoff run has been flawless, outscoring opponents 23-0 since a 1-0 loss to Divine Savior Holy Angels in the Division 1 state tournament.
Schedule and Viewing Options
The WIAA Championships will conclude with the girls’ soccer final on June 20 at Uihlein Soccer Park. WKOW will air all games on Catchy Comedy, channel 190 on Charter/Spectrum, and stream live on WKOW.com. Fans can also watch via the 27 News Now app, though recorded events may appear before live streams begin.
Earlier this week, the tournament saw intense matchups, including Muskego’s Division 1 semifinal against Oregon, captured in photos by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The event has drawn attention for its high stakes and competitive spirit, with teams like Xavier and Kiel aiming for their first state titles.
What’s Next?
The final on June 20 will determine the state champion, with Xavier seeking back-to-back titles and Kiel aiming to break its semifinal curse. For Brookfield Central, the focus is on maintaining their dominance after last year’s victory. As the teams prepare, fans nationwide will tune in to see who claims the 2026 WIAA State Girls Soccer Championship.
“A gold ball would be nice to have,” Meyer said. “It would look good in the display. I’ll probably sleep with it Saturday night. It’s an accumulation of a lot of games and practices.”
“We get all the girls together, hammer through or talk through what the goals are for the season,” Makal said. “It’s really more of a cultural bonding experience to kind of really pick the path of which we can go for the year.”
“They just keep upping their togetherness and their vibe,” Makal added. “Their vibe has been really good. I feel like they are the ones driving the bus, and it’s cool to see the players really start taking the lead.”
“We have a game plan ready to shut down the Lions, but executing it is the key to winning,” Pritchard said. “I told them just as I did the first class (in 2021), you can be legacy builders.”
“I think I said this last year, but they have a lot of connectivity to that class,” Makal said.
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