Previewing the WIAA State Series

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WIAA state series is upon us with games beginning this Thursday in Milwaukee. Here's a quick preview of what to look out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anna Sikorski Seeks Fourth State Championship, Three-Peat for Muskego</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By the end of the week, Anna Sikorski might go down as the most polished high school soccer athlete in the state of Wisconsin (and even the country). The 2024 Kentucky signee is just two wins away from her fourth state championship in four years. She spent her first year at Divine Savior Holy Angels and transferred to Muskego before her sophomore year. Sikorski has continued to shine as a senior. But Muskego won't be the top seed at the D1 state series this weekend. That belongs to Waunakee, who are 18-2-2 on the season and tied Muskego a few months ago. The heroics from freshman GK Malia Zillman propelled Waunakee in a PK shootout victory over Middleton. Eventually this is where experience thrives. THE PICK: Muskego over Waunakee in Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Same Old Teams in D2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three of the four teams from last seasons D2 tournament return to state this week. Oregon is the top seed and is looking to possibly get revenge on Whitefish Bay, who are seeded third. But Whitefish bay will have to get through Cedarburg if they'll have a chance at the state championship. The Bulldogs are led by senior Nadia Epshteyn with 16 goals. Including a hat trick in the sectional championship against West De Pere. Additionally, junior midfielder Kate Vandenberg has been lethal in the midfield with nine assists on the year. They'll get an extremely difficult draw against Whitefish Bay, which should make this bracket the most exciting one of the weekend. THE PICK: Oregon over Cedarburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Plymouth Looks for Repeat in D3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading down towards the smaller schools, Plymouth is the favorite to repeat in Division 3 and are led by an electrifying sophomore in the attack. Kalli Knowles has a whopping 40 goals on the season and is one of the states biggest stock-risers in 2026. Already doubling her scoring totals from last season in fewer games. They'll face Rice Lake in the semifinal who are back in the state series for the first time in six years. The other semifinal matchup will feature Catholic Memorial and McFarland. F/M Elise Freeman has catapulted McFarland this season with 18 goals and 16 assists. On the other side, Catholic Memorial has a strong group with plenty of contributing factors. Junior Lucia Brown and Senior Kayden Scrima have combined for 27 assists on the year with 13 different players scoring. I think thee games could see lots of goals. THE PICK: Catholic memorial over Plymouth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148494' first='Cora' last='Erickson'] Seeks Unbeaten Season, D4 Championship</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>59 goals for 2025 F [player_tooltip player_id='148494' first='Cora' last='Erickson'] has been more than enough to keep Cedar Grove-Belgium out of the loss column this season. They're the top seed in Wisconsins lowest division and one seed higher than Kiel. Who knocked off CGB to win last seasons state championship. Kiel's lone loss this season came in April against Fox Valley Lutheran. They also have pair of 20+ goal scorers on their roster: Taavi Saeger and Lydia Vander Meer. It would be an exciting championship if they were to meet. I think CGB gets their revenge. THE PICK: Cedar Grove-Belgium over Kiel in PK's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->