Kimberly and Xavier Secure Spots in WIAA State Girls Soccer Tournament

In an exciting round of sectional finals, Kimberly and Xavier have both clinched their places in the WIAA state girls soccer tournament. The Papermakers triumphed over Wausau West with a narrow 1-0 victory, marking their third consecutive appearance at state and the fifth in the program’s history.

In the match held in Stevens Point, Kimberly’s Kennedy Ebben scored the decisive goal in the first half. Papermakers goalkeeper Bee Brockert played a key role in the win, making two crucial saves. With this victory, Kimberly's record improves to an impressive 22-1, while Wausau West concludes its season at 9-6-3. They will compete in the Division 1 state semifinals on Thursday, June 18, at either 4:30 or 7 p.m. in Milwaukee, with the championship match scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at 1:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Division 4, the Xavier Hawks defeated Howards Grove 2-0 in their sectional final. This victory not only secures their second consecutive state appearance but also marks the 13th time overall for the program. Helayna Krueger was the standout player, scoring both goals for Xavier, which now boasts a record of 21-1-0. The Hawks will play their state semifinal match on Friday, June 19, at either 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., depending on their seeding.

In additional results, Brookfield Central and Kiel also claimed victories in their respective sectional finals, setting the stage for an exhilarating state tournament. The Lancers defeated Pulaski 3-0, while Kiel shut out Notre Dame Academy 2-0, both advancing to state with strong performances.

As the tournament approaches, excitement builds for these teams and their supporters, eager to see how they will fare on the state stage.