Post Messenger Recorder -

The Belleville/New Glarus Raiders soccer team are Sectional Champions and will advance to their first State Championship appearance in 12 years. Making the most of their momentum and focused on their goal, the Raiders pulled off two tenacious victories.

Head Coach John Ziperski stated, "I am proud of the team's approach this year to savoring the journey, enjoying each other's presence and the way they represent our two small communities. The unique nature of a co-op is how rival towns come together and perform better, together. We have seasoned players that have not ceased to amaze me with confidence, respect for their competition and their approach to preparation. I have preached the entire year that the journey is the true reward, and to continue to be able to play when most of the state is already complete is a testament to what memories this team is shaping and the character of what our team presents."

In the first game of Sectionals, the host and #1 seeded Raiders took on the Edgewood Crusaders. The Raider players were excited for the challenge of avenging a loss last year to Edgewood that knocked them out of the playoffs. The first half of the game was a defensive battle, despite intense attacks and counterattacks from both teams. In the second half, with the score at 0 to 0, there was a lengthy delay for lightening. When the Raider team took to the field again, they brought intensity and energy with them. In the 60th minute, senior mid-fielder Nicole Sanders took a free kick and drove the ball into the opponent's net. Sander's kick ignited a deafening swell of noise from a large contingent of Raider fans who stayed through the long delay to support their team. After the goal, the entire Raider team contributed to stopping the Crusaders from scoring and closing out the game. Final: Raiders 1, Edgewood 0.

In the final game of Sectionals, the Raider opponent was West Salem. According to Coach Ziperski, "The Weather was extremely difficult to perform in (95 degrees). West Salem came into the match having outscored its opponents 107-7 and 28-1 in the post season. The Raiders, having shutout all of their opponents in the post season, and fresh off of beating State ranked #4 Madison Edgewood, were forced to play a majority of the game without their anchor defender Hannah Jones, who had a leg injury five minutes into the match."

Many players got the chance to see the field as the weather made frequent substitutions a necessity. The team stepped up and won the intensity battle. In the 22nd minute sophomore mid-fielder Kalin O'Rourke, on an assist from Esther Noriega, planted the ball in the net. The Raiders never looked back. Late in the 2nd half, senior mid-fielder Taylor Legler padded the lead with a ball that curved into the net off a corner kick. The defense and goalie Rachael Heittola finished the game with their 17th shutout of the season. Final: Raiders 2, West Salem 0.

Next up for the Raiders is the State Championship semi-final on Thursday, June 16th, in Uihlein Park in Milwaukee. Game time is 5:00 p.m. The Championship game will be at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday June 18th, at Uihlein Field.