VICTORY?!?!

Can the Homestead High School girls soccer team do it? That is the big question today. At 2:00pm HHS takes on Verona in the Wisconsin High School State Soccer Final. After beating DSHA in OT yesterday in a hard fought match, Homestead advanced.

The girls really started their roll when they beat Brookfield Central in a 6-5 shoot-out to win the sectional semi-final. After that, they advanced on an early goal against Brookfield East. The defense and the team held strong and won the sectional final 1-0. On Thursday, June 17th, the ladies outplayed a very solid Waukesha West team. Both teams struggled to get the ball in the net, each having a near goal on a post (HHS hitting 3, 2 pipes and a crossbar). Another shoot-out proved too much for Waukesha as the Highlanders took the win. Although the shoot-out was a bit sloppy, and each goalie made a save, and the Highlanders triumphed, winning 3-1. Finally, in yesterday's match-up with 2 time defending champion powerhouse DSHA (Divine Saviour, Holy Angel), Homestead controlled the ball and were able to play their game. DSHA showed some strengths in ball possession, but I believe the Highlanders had many more dangerous chances in the DSHA end (I am also a coach, so I have a bit of a biased opinion on the game). In the 88th minute of play, a Homestead midfielder was fouled 25 yards out, over the top right corner of the box. A Homestead defender lined up the free kick and drove a beautiful ball into the far upper right corner lifting the Highlander to a 1-0 win.

Can they do it? Can the Homestead Highlander finish the season on top of the Mountain? They certainly have the skill and ability to outplay any team in the state. It will all depend on the energy they bring to the field and the passion that they play with. I certainly hope that the Highlander women have their 2nd State title in 4 years!

(In one last note, the Journal Sentinal needs to check the information they have. The player who struck the crossbar was incorrect, the Homestead keeper never bobbled a ball in the second half, and the defender was not the player fouled on the free kick which won the game)