West Can't Solve Experienced Cedarburg in State Soccer Final

Waukesha West had lost the WIAA girls soccer championship game twice in the last five years, each a 1-0 squeaker to Divine Savior.

In West’s third try, against Cedarburg on Saturday, Katie Grall managed to score the Wolverines’ first title-game goal, in the 21st minute.

That was the extent of their highlights, however, as top-ranked Cedarburg put on a dominant performance in a 4-1 win.

“It was women playing against girls,” said West coach Dave Zindler, comparing his young lineup to Cedarburg’s senior-heavy group. “They absolutely deserve to be the state champs, but we had to play well to get here.”

West did that, beating Middleton 2-1 in the quarterfinals and DePere 3-1 in the semifinals. Saturday, Grall scored in the 21st minute to tie the match but the Bulldogs came right back with two before halftime. Cedarburg conducted a passing clinic in the second half as West was forced to chase. The Bulldogs outshot West 22-5.

Zindler was already looking ahead to next year, when West drops from Division 1 to Division 2 and loses just four seniors — Taylor Schmidt, Carli Demski, Ellie Visuri and Carly Richter.

“If you look at our roster, we’re not going away anytime soon,” Zindler said.