Wendy Goist Jones

The Sugar River Raiders competed in the State Championship Game on Saturday in Milwaukee. Before leaving for the game, their coach John Ziperski posted on Facebook: "Here we go! Today, I am fortunate to lead a unique team onto a soccer field for 90 minutes. Yes, it's a game, and believe me, perspective will never allow me to forget the gravity of the moment. But it is also a transition point, the end of a story, and abruptly the beginning of 10 new stories for our seniors. In 18 years, we have never known when the end of the season would come, today, that will come regardless of results. I am incredibly proud, as I always am, of what we achieved in the season. We talk about a journey, mostly in context of memories, but the secret is that it is a journey is about growth and relationships with each other, and in our community. This group is faced with a task that they knowingly and willingly approach with wide smiles, one last amazing 90 minutes together-along with two communities that so graciously have rallied behind them. Thank you, for the notes, the pictures, the pep assemblies, the cheers. This is the Raider nation's day-enjoy the experience, remember the moments, the good and bad, and celebrate."