Post Messenger Recorder -

The Sugar River Raiders girls soccer team has earned this year's Capitol Conference championship. The Raiders swept all conference opponents this year, going 8-0. This is the first time since 2015 that the Raiders won the conference.

To kick start their last week in the regular season, the Raiders traveled to Watertown Luther Prep on Monday, May 22nd. This was a conference game and the Raiders won, 5-0. Goals were scored by Kalin O'Rourke, Brittany Kiefer and Sydney Gentilli, and Esther Noriega contributed two of the team's goals.

On Thursday, May 25th, the Raiders hosted conference rival Lodi. This game determined who won the conference championship this season and it was a must win game for the Raiders. Kalin O'Rourke scored early for the Raiders, and put the team up 1-0 at halftime. Kalin O'Rourke scored the team's second goal early in the second half, off of a deflected penalty kick by Lodi's goalie. However, Lodi would not go down without a fight, and scored their first goal of the game minutes later. Sugar River was able to hold the Blue Devils to just the one goal and were able to celebrate their 2-1 victory with a celebratory fire truck ride in Belleville after the game. Keeper Rachael Heittola had six saves. The Raiders are now 19-1.

The Raiders kickoff their post-season tournament this Thursday as they play host to Wautoma/Faith Christian/Wild Rose at 7:00 p.m. The winner will play the winner of the Platteville/McFarland game on Saturday, at 1:00 p.m.