Nicolet Soccer Falls Short in Sectional Semifinal

Nicolet girls soccer coach Tony Quintero knew what his team was up against going into its sectional semifinal on Thursday.

Divine Savior Holy Angels had combined for 32 goals in their first two WIAA playoff games and had already beaten the Knights, 3-0, in early May.

Although Nicolet showed flashes of greatness early and had thoughts about the upset being tied 0-0 at the half, the Dashers simply had too much firepower as they knocked the Knights out of the playoffs, 4-0.

“We knew all about (Divine Savior) coming into the game,” Quintero said. “Knowing that they play a 4-3-3 (formation), we felt we had some chances using our T-formation, especially at the top and we’re real strong down our spine.

“We had some chances early and just couldn’t quite put them away. It would’ve been nice to be able to grab that momentum early on and put them on their heels, but then they got that goal early in the second half and they grabbed the momentum and it was difficult from that point on.”

Despite arguably creating a greater number of chances and holding the lion's share of the possession in the first half, Nicolet was unable to find the back of the net and went into the break in a scoreless tie.

Whatever Dashers’ coach Kevin Roethe said to his team at halftime worked. Divine Savior quickly exploited Nicolet’s weaknesses in its defense and scored just 4 minutes, 33 seconds into the second half on a blast in the box by junior Brianna LaBarbera.

“I think it just boils down to the girls focusing,” Roethe said. “There have been times this year where we go into lulls. I think the first 40 – credit Nicolet, they came out with incredible energy. They had more energy than us; winning the first balls and second balls and that kind of got us out of our offensive flow.”

After the Dashers’ first goal, Nicolet continued to put its best foot forward but Divine Savior’s bench was too deep and its forwards too fast as the onslaught was on.

Sophomore Brenna Koeneke scored in the 63rd minute off a marvelous pass from teammate Olivia Wright.

LaBarbera then quickly added two more by lofting a free kick just outside the box over the keeper in the 71st minute and then taking a perfect pass from sophomore Ingrid Mortonson after she beat two defenders to round out her hat trick.

“I think in the first half we struggled,” LaBarbera said, “but in the second half we came together as a team. That’s how I got such great chances.”

The loss ends a successful season for the Knights, who finished the season 14-6-2 and sixth in the deep North Shore Conference.

Said Quintero, “It’s sad to end the season, especially for the three seniors, but I’m pretty proud of this team and what we did this year. Hopefully we can build off of it heading into next year.”

The Dashers advance to play Whitefish Bay on Saturday, who beat Milwaukee King 10-0 on Thursday.