CG-Belgium, Ozaukee underclassmen stand tall in conference coaches’ vote
One of the area’s top girls’ soccer teams and its best offensive player received their dues in this season’s All-Central Lakeshore Conference voting.
Cedar Grove-Belgium, led by junior forward Halie Schieffer, had three players awarded first-team honors, one named to the second team and two given honorable mention in the coaches’ balloting.
Schieffer was a unanimous first-team choice for the Rockets, who are also represented on the squad by forward Briana Weyker and goalkeeper Alyssa Schmit.
Other members of the top team include two Ozaukee players, midfielder Katie Bares and forward Natalie Clark.
Schieffer scored 25 goals and had 19 assists for the Rockets, who placed second in the CLC with a 12-2 record and were 19-5-1 overall.
Cedar Grove-Belgium coach Elias Garza described Schieffer as a “vocal leader, a versatile and physical player who has the ability to finish with both feet, particularly inside the box.”
She has “great vision and awareness and continues to improve her one-on-one skills,” Garza added.
Weyker, a junior, had 16 goals and five assists.
“Bri made a great adjustment moving into the forward role this year and complemented our offense nicely,” Garza said.
“She is fearless, relentless and has such an explosive first step. She brings great energy and excitement.”
Schmitt, a junior, anchored the Rockets’ defense, which posted 12 shutouts.
“Alyssa improved in several areas this year and has great command and control inside the box,” Garza said. “She is fearless and physical and not afraid to go to the ground.”
Bares, a junior, was a unanimous first-team choice and one of only four players to receive top all-conference honors each of the last two seasons.
Bares had 12 goals and a team-high 10 assists for Ozaukee, which finished third in the conference with a 9-5 record. She was the Warriors’ leading goal scorer in the WIAA playoffs.
“Katie was the vital piece in our midfield, whether she slotted passes for our forwards, created shots or won the ball away from our opponent,” Ozaukee coach Eric Liebergen said.
“She made an impact in every game.”
Liebergen also described Bares as an “incredibly hard worker who is committed to self-improvement.”
Clark, a sophomore, led the Warriors with 24 goals and was the first Ozaukee player with four hat tricks since Ashley Bares in 2007.
Clark “pressures defenders into turnovers and creates breakaways with her speed,” Liebergen said.
“She has huge upside potential for her last couple years.”
Named to the All-CLC second team were Cedar Grove-Belgium’s Abby Vrubley and Ozaukee’s Micaela Burns.
Vrubley, a sophomore defender, was a hard-working leader in the Rockets’ backfield.
“Abby Vrubley adapted very well to our new defensive approach this year with our back four,” Garza said.
“She gives us athleticism, size and intelligence and is strong with the ball at both feet. She sees and recognizes the game well and has the ability to counter from a central position in our defensive third.”
Burns, a junior, was one of Ozaukee’s most versatile players, contributing as a defender, midfielder and forward.
“Mickey is selfless, hardworking, loyal and driven,” Liebergen said. “She is the epitome of what you look for in a teammate.
“When we needed to bolster our defense, Mickey was there. If we needed help in our offense, we moved Mickey up.”
Receiving honorable mention in the coaches’ voting were Cedar Grove-Belgium’s Alex Buechler and Ashli von Heimburg and Ozaukee’s Mari Scalone.
Buechler, a junior midfielder, had six goals and 10 assists.
Garza described her as a “versatile player, having been moved around in the midfield.”
“She has good physical presence and played balls well out of the air and has finishing ability, especially on set pieces.”
Von Heimburg, a freshman, played forward, midfield and defense and was second on the Rockets in scoring with 40 points (14 goals, 12 assists).
“She provided great complementary assist and goal ability to help take some of the workload off some of our other offenders,” Garza said.
Scalone, a senior defender, excelled as a sweeper.
“She gave our defense a calming presence,” Liebergen said.
“Mari was one of the unique players who could ratchet up her level of performance when it mattered most.”
The best news about postseason honors for both Cedar Grove-Belgium and Ozaukee is that all but one of their all-conference players will be back next year.
Image Information: (From left to right) Halie Schieffer, Katie Bares, Natalie Clark
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