High School

Waunakee Boys Lacrosse Wins First-Ever WIAA State Title in Dramatic Fashion

Led by five goals from Justin Sawicki and a clutch save in the final seconds, Waunakee avenges an earlier loss to KM/St. John’s Northwestern to capture its first boys lacrosse state championship

Jeff Hagenau

The Waunakee High School boys lacrosse team won the WIAA state championship on Saturday.
The Waunakee High School boys lacrosse team won the WIAA state championship on Saturday. / Photo courtesy of WIAA and Waunakee High School Boys Lacrosse

The Waunakee High School boys lacrosse team enjoyed the exhilarating journey to the top of the mountain.

The Warriors held on to defeat the Kettle Moraine/St. John's Northwestern Military Academy co-op team 9-8 in a spirited, hard-fought WIAA state championship showdown at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium's Ashley Field on Saturday.

Waunakee Reaches the Summit With First State Championship

It was the first WIAA state title in program history for Waunakee, which finished the season with a five-game winning streak and 18-4 overall record.

Ethan Evans Delivers Game-Winner in Final Minutes

Senior midfielder Ethan Evans scored what proved to be the decisive goal off an assist from freshman midfielder Will Dama with 3 minutes, 41 seconds remaining, capping a four-goal fourth quarter.

KM/St. John's Northwestern also generated four goals in the final quarter, scoring twice within the final two minutes to create a one-goal deficit.

Isaac Schultz's Last-Second Save Seals the Win

Waunakee junior goalie Isaac Schultz made a critical save with 21 seconds remaining to thwart the late rally, preserving a victory in the process. Schultz registered 10 critical saves in playing the entire 48 minutes.

Sawicki's Five Goals Power Warriors' Offense

Junior midfielder Justin Sawicki contributed a team-high five goals and an assist for the Badger Conference champion Warriors. Junior midfielder Adrian Millin, junior attackman Alex Mikkelson, and sophomore attackman Gabe Samuelson each followed with one goal. Mikkelson added a team-best three assists.

Revenge Secured in State Championship Rematch

The statement-making victory took on added meaning as it avenged Waunakee's 9-7 regular-season home-field loss to KM/St. John's Northwestern on April 11.

Senior midfielder Mason Huebner, senior midfielder Eli Schwartz, and junior midfielder Travis Davidowski, each scored two goals for Classic 8 Conference champion KM/St. John's Northwestern, which ended the season 17-3 overall.

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-- Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com

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Jeff Hagenau
JEFF HAGENAU

Jeff Hagenau has been a sports writer in southeast Wisconsin for the past 28 years, covering at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He graduated from Carroll University with a degree in journalism and has showcased his versatility by reporting on a wide array of sports over the course of his memorable career.

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