By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
WATERFORD — The rain came down in sheets at times, literally punishing the players and soaking their uniforms.
But it was going to take a tsunami to stop Waterford’s Lauren Torhorst, who continues to prove her status as the school’s all-time leading goal scorer is no fluke.
Torhorst scored two goals and assisted on another, and the host Wolverines knocked off fifth-seeded Milton Thursday night in a WIAA Division 2 soccer sectional semifinal.
With the victory, second-seeded Waterford (17-6-1) will most likely face top-seeded Oregon (19-0-1) Saturday at 4 p.m. in Waunakee.
Oregon is the No. 1-ranked team in Division 2 in the state.
A steady rain affected the game then entire night and turned into a pummeling downpour in the final minutes, but the Wolverines put together just about 90 minutes of quality soccer.
Ella Hunsucker kicking things off for Waterford, finding Torhorst inside the box for a goal at the 17-minute mark.
Torhorst added a second goal in the 25th minute. Milton came back before halftime, using the wind to cut the lead to 2-1.
After halftime, Waterford struck again. Lexi Ketterhagen got the ball about 25 yards out and put the ball on the upper 90 on the right side for a goal, making it 3-1.
Milton kept things close with a goal in the 67th minute, but the Waterford defense clamped down from there.
Moments after the game, the Waterford players ambushed each other for a group tackle at midfield despite a treacherous downfall.
This is the farthest a Waterford soccer team, girls or boys, has advanced in school history.
Andi Wenck made 10 saves for the Wolverines, including six in the first half.
Lady Wolverines win first regional title
By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
Hopefully the Waterford High School girls soccer team hit its postseason stride in the second half of its WIAA Division 2 regional final match June 6 at home against Stoughton.
The Wolverines played with purpose and energy and overcame a motivated Stoughton defense to win the school’s first regional title in soccer with a 3-0 victory.
Waterford (16-6-1) played Milton (6-10-2) Thursday at home in a sectional semifinal. The winner plays either DeForest (10-2-1) or Oregon (19-0-1) Saturday at Waunakee in the sectional final for a berth in the state tournament.
DeForest is seeded third in its regional bracket and Oregon is seeded first. The two played Thursday at Oregon.
Waterford is seeded second in its regional bracket and Milton is seeded fifth.
The WIAA Division 2 Girls State Soccer Championships are June 18-20 at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
Coach Rob Blascoe said the Wolverines spent most of the second half against Stoughton in the Waterford offensive half of the field.
Ella Hunsucker scored off a rebound allowed by the Stoughton goalkeeper after a Lauren Torhorst shot. Torhorst added a goal and Rachel Jordan another for the Wolverines, all in the second half.
“The first half, we weren’t possessing the ball well, and weren’t figuring out their defense, which was geared to stop both Lauren and Ella,” Blascoe said. “They were man-marked, and then they had an additional four players back.”
Blascoe said the regional title is the first in soccer for either boys or girls in school history.
Waterford beat Wilmot 5-0 June 4 at home in a regional semifinal to advance and play Stoughton.
“It was 2-0 at the half, and we were never really in any trouble, other than moments of our own play not being what it should have been,” Blascoe said. “A good, solid win for the opening of the playoffs.”
Hunsucker scored twice against Wilmot (5-10-5) and Torhorst, Joy French and Alexandra Voelkers scored once.
Milton beat Burlington 4-2 in a shootout June 6 at Burlington in the regional final. The two sides tied at 3-3 after regulation and two overtime periods.
“Milton is a quality side,” Blascoe said. “They played heads-up with Burlington, so I’m sure they’ll be a good challenge.
“And that’s the way it should be. The further you go in the playoffs, it should get tougher. If we play to our abilities, we’ll be competitive, I’m sure.”
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