WIAA state boys soccer preview: Schedule, how to watch and a look at the area field
42nd annual WIAA boys soccer state tournament
When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-4
Where: Southeast Sales Powersports Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park, 7101 W. Good Hope Road, Milwaukee
Tickets: Available online at the WIAA website through ticketing partner GoFan.
Watch: Live Stream on the NFHS Network or on TV Station websites for WKOW, WAOW, WXOW and WQOW.
Results: Available on wiaawi.org.
Schedule
Thursday - Division 3 semifinals: 11 a.m. - No. 1 Pius XI vs. No. 4 Belleville/New Glarus; 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 Plymouth vs. No. 3 Somerset
Division 2 semifinals: 4:30 p.m. - No. 1 Waukesha West vs. No. 4 West De Pere; 7 p.m. - No. 2 DeForest vs. No. 3 Union Grove
Friday - Division 1 semifinals: 11 a.m. - No. 1 Brookfield East vs. No. 4 De Pere; 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 3 Middleton
Division 4 semifinals: 4:30 p.m. - No. 1 St. Mary Catholic vs. No. 4 Washburn/Bayfield; 7 p.m. - No. 2 Shoreland Lutheran vs. No. 3 Sheboygan Christian/Sheboygan Lutheran
Saturday - Finals: Division 3 - 11 a.m.; Division 2 - 1:30 p.m.; Division 1 - 4:30 p.m.; Division 4 - 7 p.m.
2022 champions
Division 1: Verona (21-3) 2, Marquette (15-8-2) 1
Division 2: Oregon (23-2-2) 1, Whitefish Bay (19-2-4) 1 (Oregon won in a shootout 8-7)
Division 3: New Berlin Eisenhower (16-4-3) 1, Notre Dame (19-1-4) 0
Division 4: Cristo Rey Jesuit (23-1-1) 2, Sheboygan Christian/Lutheran (21-2-1) 0
Area teams in the field
Brookfield East: The Spartans (19-0-1) enter the 19th state appearance in program history looking to win a fourth title. Brookfield East already has a Sept. 5 win by a 2-1 final over No. 2 seed Marquette on its resume to add to an undefeated run so far on the season. Homestead gave the Spartans a run in a 3-2 sectional final game last week, but no other team has managed two goals in a game against Brookfield East this year. Its semifinal opponents from De Pere (17-3-4) are making the program's 10th state appearance, as well as the third in the last four years.
Marquette: The Hilltoppers (14-4-2) make a WIAA record 22nd appearance in the state tournament, seeking to improve upon a WIAA record 16 program titles. Marquette returned to state for the fourth-consecutive year by shutting out all four 2023 postseason opponents (9-0 over Milwaukee Hamilton, 7-0 over Racine Case, 5-0 over Badger and 3-0 over Franklin) in a sweep through the D1 bracket. Its state semifinal matchup will be with a Middleton (17-4-1) program making its first appearance at state since 2016.
Pius XI: The Popes (16-4-3) have seen a surprising postseason run culminate with the program's third trip to state, and first since a 2018 D3 state title. Pius XI is battle-tested after a postseason run that included a 4-3 win on penalty kicks over Big Foot/Williams Bay and a 2-0 sectional final win over the reigning D3 state champions from New Berlin Eisenhower. Facing the Popes in the D3 state semifinal will be a Belleville/New Glarus team making just its second team state appearance (2004).
Shoreland Lutheran: After winning a D3 state title in its only prior state tournament appearance in 2007, Shoreland Lutheran (17-4-1) is back at state in D4 this year. The Pacers have shown plenty of offensive firepower this season, led by forward Owen Hahm. The sophomore has 17 total points coming on five goals and seven assists during a torrid postseason run. Shoreland Lutheran's semifinal opponents from Sheboygan Christian/Sheboygan Lutheran (15-5-2) are making a third-straight state appearance after winning the D4 title in 2021 and finishing as runner-ups in 2022.
Union Grove: The Broncos (18-4-1) are making a historic first appearance at state in D2 after a pair of come-from-behind 3-2 victories over Elkhorn and Greendale to advance from its sectional. Union Grove has seen its offense flow primarily through sophomore Niall Hagen and senior Owen Zikowski, who have 47 and 42 points respectively on the season. Its state semifinal opponent, DeForest (15-1-5), is making just the second state tournament appearance in program history (1993).
Waukesha West: The Wolverines (15-2-3) make a second-consecutive D2 state appearance, and the sixth in program history this week. A state title has eluded Waukesha West in all five previous tries, but this year's squad could be the one to finally break through with a win to reach the finals. Senior points leader Connor Urban has been a critical part of the postseason run, accumulating 16 points on seven goals and two assists. Waukesha West's opponent in the D2 state semifinal is a West De Pere (17-3-2) program making its first state tournament appearance.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WIAA boys state soccer preview: Schedule, how to watch and area teams
