Wisconsin State Championship Series Playoff Preview: Division 1

The Division 1 State Series kicks off Thursday at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, WI. Here’s a look at Thursday’s schedule. <b>Division 1 Semifinals</b> 11 a.m.: No. 1 Marquette (21-1-1) vs. No. 4 De Pere (11-7-3) 1:30 p.m.: No. 2 Verona (18-1-1) vs. No. 3 Hudson (16-2-2) The winners will play in the state championship Saturday at 11 a.m. at Uilhein Soccer Park. &nbsp; <strong>No. 1 Marquette (21-1-1) vs No. 4 De Pere (11-7-3)</strong> De Pere has been the state’s biggest Cinderella this postseason. But its season’s toughest test awaits them in Marquette. The Hilltoppers have been rightfully the No. 1 team in Wisconsin all season and unbeaten in the state. Defender [player_tooltip player_id="18509" first="Sam" last="Magner"] and GK [player_tooltip player_id="30972" first="CJ" last="Deslongchamps"] have anchored a defense that has yet to concede a goal this postseason. But a strong Redbird attack led by [player_tooltip player_id="30971" first="Kevin" last="Ramirez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="18461" first="James" last="Dorchester"] will look to end that clean sheet. The two have combined for 35 goals and 16 assists this season. Marquette has loads of offensive weapons that can create many scoring chances. [player_tooltip player_id="32548" first="Nick" last="Magner"], [player_tooltip player_id="18504" first="Owen" last="Marshall"], [player_tooltip player_id="18515" first="Valentin" last="Sandoval"], [player_tooltip player_id="18488" first="Miguel" last="Gonzalez"], and Sean Dankert all have double-digit goal totals this season. Expect this attack to create many chances and make it a tough day for Evan Engel and the De Pere defense. <strong>Score Prediction:</strong> Marquette 4, De Pere 1 &nbsp; <strong>No. 2 Verona (18-1-1) vs No. 3 Hudson (16-2-2)</strong> Senior Max Lynch will Lead a Verona team that hasn't lost since August. But more impressively, they haven't been scored on since September. The attack will be centered around Lynch, Ryan Love, and Alex Klimm. This group isn't spectacular but has tons of experience and is extremely deep at every single position. Hudson's only losses this season have come against Oregon and Sun Prairie. <strong>Score Prediction:</strong> Verona 1, Hudson 0 &nbsp; <strong>State Championship Prediction: Marquette 2, Verona 0</strong>