CG-Belgium, Grafton step up in soccer

After a one-loss regular season, No. 2-seeded Cedar Grove-Belgium continued its dominance in the early rounds of the WIAA Division 4 girls’ soccer playoffs with two blowout wins last week.

Last Saturday, the host Rockets defeated seventh-seeded St. Mary’s Springs, 6-1, in a regional final. They outshot their opponent, 35-4.

Jessica Rose and Haven Lander each had two goals, and Abby Kraus and Brittany Teunissen scored one apiece.

Rockets coach Elias Garza described Kraus’ goal as a “scandalous” shot that sailed into an upper corner of the goal to give his team a 2-0 halftime lead.

“It was a tremendous goal that gave us a boost and seemed to demoralize St. Mary’s Springs, having conceded a goal just prior to half,” Garza said.

Teunissen, Lanser, Kraus, Kristin Ozscuzik, Bailey Cooney and Jessica Rose each had assists in the game.

“St. Mary’s Springs would make us work and certainly provide us with a more competitive atmosphere,” Garza said.

He credited the play of Alex Mentink, who battled through a sore ankle while playing center back, and freshman Kayla Speaks, who later filled in for Mentink.

“It was pleasing to see these young ladies play well in the postseason once they are called upon, regardless of grade,” Garza said.

“It was a good result against a quality opponent, which secured us another regional championship for the second year in a row.”

On May 31, the Rockets blanked No. 15-seeded Kewaunee, 11-0, in a game called after 60 minutes. It was 9-0 at halftime.

Rose scored three goals, and Kelsey Lukens and Kaitlyn Henderson each had two. Kraus, Lanser, Alyssa Mentink and Bailey Cooney added one goal apiece.

Cooney and Ellie Felsinger each had two assists, and Ozsuscik, Teunissen, Shelby Cooney, Alyssa Mentink, Rose and Kraus each had one.

“The girls controlled the game throughout. All players that suited were able to see the field,” Garza said.

“It was a productive and fun evening in front of our home crowd. The focus, energy and the ability to combine well in every third was encouraging.”

The Rockets (13-1-1) next host No. 3-seeded Winnebago Lutheran (13-1-3) in a  7 p.m. sectional semifinal this Thursday,

The winner advances to a sectional final at 7 p.m. Saturday in New Holstein against the winner of a match between top-seeded Oostburg and fourth-seeded Kohler.

Hawks keep rolling through early rounds

The Grafton girls’ soccer team sailed to victories in two regional games of the Division 3 playoffs last week, but coach Don Arnold wants to see a better effort.

Last Saturday, the second-seeded Black Hawks beat seventh-seeded Whitewater, 4-0, in a regional title game at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon.

Grafton got all its goals in the first half. Hailey Block scored unassisted and then assisted Malaya Sperber.

Kate Sewert scored on an assist from Sperber and then Block added a goal with an assist from Laura Stockhausen.

“We played well, but we didn’t finish our chances like we do,” Arnold said.

In the second half, Grafton cruised while creating more scoring opportunities but didn’t capitalize.

“We dominated the game. We didn’t have our typical excitement going,” Arnold said.

“You can’t underestimate anybody at any point. The game of soccer is brutal. If you don’t take care of your business, you walk away real quickly wondering what happened.”

On May 31, the Hawks blanked No. 15-seeded Milwaukee School of Languages, 12-0, in a regional semifinal at Concordia.

Sperber scored four goals and Block had two.

Isabella Rapp, Halena Gehrke, Julia Sandoval, Faith Kettenhoven and Claire Kosidowski each had one goal.

Brianna Rapp and Kosidowski finished with two assists apiece, and Sperber, Gretchen Geiser, Kettenhoven, Stockhausen and Natalie Cherella each had one.

This week, the Hawks (12-5) play No. 3-seeded Shorewood (12-4-2) in a 5 p.m. sectional semifinal Thursday at Milwaukee School of Engineering.

The winner will face the winner of a game between top-seeded Catholic Memorial and No. 4-seeded New Berlin West in a 5 p.m. sectional final Saturday at Catholic Memorial.