BELLEVILLE — New Glarus junior Morgan Hustad couldn’t pick just one between making a three-week trip to Germany through New Glarus High School or playing in the WIAA Division 3 state tournament.
Hustad took steps to do both this weekend. She was at first scheduled to take a flight to Germany Friday for three weeks. Hustad filled out some paperwork with the assistance of her German teacher requesting a later flight after the state tournament Friday and Saturday. The Sugar River girls soccer team (18-0-1) will play Green Bay Notre Dame in a Division 3 state semifinal 7 p.m. Friday at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
“I’m really excited,” Hustad said Tuesday at practice. “I’m hoping I can stay and play with them especially the seniors. I’m just crossing my fingers. Two years ago when I signed up I didn’t think this would ever happen and I would have this decision to make. I’m hoping I can push it back.”
By Wednesday night, the decision came in: Her request for a later flight was denied and she would be unable to play, according to head coach John Ziperski.
Hustad’s cousin Jenna Anderson also is going on the Germany trip.
“I’m hoping to learn the culture and see what it’s like over there,” Hustad said.
It’s the second time in three years the Raiders will play at state.
“I want every girl to experience state if they get a chance to,” Ziperski said. “Germany is a big opportunity, too. I don’t want to make her feel like we have to have her on the team to have success or not have success. Sports and high school is about memories and a Germany trip is a pretty big memory, too. It’s not pressure on her. She just has to decide what she wants her experience to be. I don’t want her to go and not enjoy state and have regret. It’s her decision and what she wants to do with it.”
Two years ago, Sugar River seniors Kalin O’Rourke and Sam Trainor were sophomores and were faced with the same decision as Hustad, as they were signed up for a trip to the Dominican Republic.
“It’s ironic Sam scored the goal to get to state and Kalin scored the goal last time to get to state,” Ziperski said. “Things work out sometimes. That is a pretty exciting storyline. This a neat opportunity to still be out here and getting to kick the ball around. To get that opportunity is really a blessing.”
O’Rourke and Trainor also looked to have their flight rescheduled two years ago so they could play in the state tournament. However, they couldn’t get a later flight approved and they went on the Dominican Republic trip and missed the state tournament.
“We didn’t want to miss the trip, but we also didn’t want to miss state,” O’Rourke said. “We tried to fly out later. We were going to a different country and our chaperones didn’t feel comfortable with that. We were really excited for the trip. We thought since we had two more years we could make it back to state and we did.”
“We didn’t want to miss the trip, but we also didn’t want to miss state.”Sugar River senior Kalin O’Rourke, who missed the state meet in 2016
Sugar River enters the state tournament unbeaten, but far from a favorite. Catholic Memorial, which has made seven straight tournament appearances and Green Bay Notre Dame, which has had 10 state berths in the past 14 years, are perennial title contenders.
“Those teams are perennial state appearances,” Ziperski said. “They would be competitive in any division whether it was Division 3 or Division 1. I would like our chances in other divisions bigger than us than I like against titans like those two. The storylines are kind of interesting. At the end of the day, we are not the same team we were two years ago. We are going to enjoy the moment and hopefully that will show in our sportsmanship in that moment we have.
“We have achieved everything and this is all gravy for us now and the girls know that.”
O’Rourke leads the Raiders with 26 goals this season. She’s looking forward to taking the field in Milwaukee for state on Friday.
“It means everything to me,” O’Rourke said. “We were really bummed we missed it last time. Just the fact that we all get to end our season at the state tournament is great.”
O’Rourke will attend the University of Minnesota. She will not play soccer for the Gophers, but is planning on playing club soccer. She is undecided on her major, but she will minor in Spanish.
“I’m just kind of worn out from high school sports,” O’Rourke said. “I’m a little sad. It just wasn’t in my plans.”
