Girls soccer: Lancers have 'roller-coaster' ride

Brookfield Central girls soccer coach Jason Burdge described the Lancers' 17-5-2 season as a "roller-coaster ride."

The Lancers finished 6-0-1 and won their second straight Greater Metro Conference championship as well as a regional championship.

"This season felt like a roller-coaster ride," Burdge said. "We started off the season 7-0, winning a few close games. We followed with two weeks of inconsistent soccer against quality opponents. The Wauwatosa East game lasted two days (due to weather). We finished the final two and a half weeks of the regular season 6-1."

Burdge will be losing four seniors to graduation.

Kelly Peterson is a four-year varsity member and a three-year starter and a first-time all-conference performer. Emma Knetter is a three-year varsity member and Ashley McBain is a three-year starter and a two-time all-conference member (two first-team selections, one as a defender and one as a forward).

Sarah Baker, a three-year starter, started and played in every game but one over the past three years. She was a two-time all conference selection, making first team as a sophomore and second team this season.

"We had a great mixture of talented players this season," Burdge said. "We were led by our four seniors, who played a huge role in our team's success this season."

Central had four first-team all-conference performers this season.

Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Oleson is a two-time selection, making second team as a freshman and first team this year.

Joining Oleson is junior Sarah Fotsch, a two-time first-teamer, Peterson and McBain.

Second-team selections were Baker and sophomores Lydia Rohde and Bella Turelli.

"The standout play of our all-conference selections along with Katelyn Robinson, Sierra High and Jenny Niemann and the rest of the team, gives us something to talk about at our end-of-the-year season celebration."

Burdge then talked about his team's work ethic and improvement by some individuals.

"Another one of the main reasons for our success this year is the obvious work the girls put in to prepare themselves for the season. Knetter, Vanessa Alwan and Morgan Kenny were, in my mind, the most improved players from a year ago.

"Our four freshmen logged a lot of quality varsity minutes and will only return next year, wiser and more confident. We managed to go undefeated in conference and won a few games against the state's best teams.

"(Our record) 17-5-2 is a fantastic season in my book. We accomplished one of our goals this year - winning the Greater Metro Conference."