WSHS soccer wins first state championship

For the first time in the program's 35-year history, the Winona Senior High School (WSHS) boys soccer team not only made it to state, but returned home as state champions after defeating Cretin-Derham Hall 3-2 on Saturday. Senior Winhawks player Calvin Mikkelsen said competing and winning the state tournament was surreal and said it felt amazing to have the whole community supporting the team. “Definitely not everybody on our team thought we would make it this far this year. But I'll say one thing: Coach knew. He definitely knew,” Mikkelsen said. Cotter’s boys soccer team took fourth place in its first state tournament.

WSHS’s soccer program was established in 1991 with a squad of just 17 players. Fast forward to today, the team won its first section tournament to compete at the state level in the Class AA state boys soccer tournament. Heading into the tournament, Head Coach Jacob Teischroew said he felt very confident in his team. “If we play our best game, there's no way we don't walk away without the trophy,” he said. The first win in the tournament against St. Paul Como Park, he said, gave the players the confidence that they can compete at the state level. From there, the Winhawks kept on winning, beating out the reigning champions and number one seeded team, Blake, 2-1, on November 4, and winning the championship game just a few days later. Winona is the first team from the Big 9 Conference representing Southeast Minnesota to win a state title. “It was obviously fantastic and fun to just be in [the state tournament], but to be able to take it all the way to the finish line and take the championship was something that will just be a legacy for these boys and the school,” Teischroew said.

Heading into that final game, Teischroew said the Winhawks game plan was to score fast and score early to put the opponents on the defensive. Mikkelsen agreed and said getting a point early can put the opposing team at a big disadvantage mentally. Overall, he said the Winhawks were focused on playing their way. “We were focused on playing our game and not sinking down to other people's level or start panicking,” he said. The team was already making history by making it to state, Mikkelesen said, so the team felt great about making it to the finals. The state championship win is big, Teischroew said, and will help the future of the program by making such an accomplishment feel much more attainable, rather than a miracle.

Photo by Tanya Corcoran The Winona Winhawk boys celebrate a goal during the state championship game on Saturday, November 7 at U.S. Bank Stadium. On Saturday, many community members gathered along Huff Street to see the Winhawks off as they headed to Minneapolis for the final championship game in the U.S. Bank Stadium. Many parents, families, and friends also made the trip to watch in person, while local Winona establishments livestreamed the game. On Monday, WSHS celebrated the state soccer championships. Mikkelsen said it felt incredible to see that kind of support community-wide. He added, “Even when we were on our way to the final game, I mean, we live two hours away, and halfway through the drive, I saw a sign on the side of the interstate that said ‘Go Winhawks! Good luck at state!’” Mikkelsen is a senior and said this was the best way to finish out his high school soccer career. Teichroew echoed that the community support for soccer has been amazing. “It's been fun just to see people come around the soccer program and see soccer kind of be the center of attention for a change and try to make this town a little more soccer oriented,” Teichroew said.

Photo by Tanya Corcoran Family, friends, and fans cheer on the Winona Winhawks during their final state championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Lew Overhaug was one of the first players on the WSHS boys soccer team when the program first started. Now, his son, Leif Overhaug, helped the team secure its first state championship. Overhaug said the team’s success comes down to the kids’ passion for soccer. “There's a bunch of kids in town that they train with, and they just really enjoy it. I think that's the key. When you love to do something, it's easy to spend time doing it,” Overhaug said. He added that he’s been hearing from past teammates and alumni who have been congratulating him and the team on winning the state title. He added that he hopes the Winhawks’ win will inspire young people to go out and try soccer and join the team. “It's always nice when folks can rally around a team and a cause and take pride in that,” Overhaug said.

The Cotter boys soccer team fell to Academy of Holy Angels 4-1 on November 4 in the state Class A tournament semifinals. Cotter then lost to Breck School in a battle over third place, finally placing fourth in the school’s first state tournament. Coach Arthur Ribeiro said he is proud of the team’s performance at state, noting they were up against stiff competition with Academy of Holy Angles being the reigning state champions three years in a row. “We played a phenomenal game in terms of controlling the game, being aggressive, maintaining possession, keeping the ball for at least 60% of the time,” Ribeiro said. He added, “If we had better luck, I think the final score would be different.” Ribeiro thanked the entire Winona soccer community for supporting both Cotter and the WSHS. “When we were winning, they were there. When we did not win, they were there as well,” he said. “I just want to thank the Winona soccer community for being there, supporting us.”

WSHS soccer wins first state championship

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