Lipsey the top boys soccer player after leading Pulaski defense

High school sports teams usually need several talented players to qualify for state. Things were no different for the Pulaski boys soccer team, which ended its strong fall season at state.

Senior Austin Lipsey was a stalwart on the Red Raiders’ tenacious defense, and he was tabbed the NEW Media Inc. Player of the Year for his play.

“We had 16 senior soccer players this year and we came off a successful season last year. This set the tone for our season. We knew what we wanted to accomplish this year from the start,” said Lipsey on what helped him enjoy such a strong season.

“In Pulaski there is a long-standing tradition of team dinners before home games — player’s families volunteer to host these dinners. It is a relaxing time for us to eat, bond, and prepare for our games. Due to our success this season, we had practices that were really fun, especially after our wins. Our coach (Jeff Schneider) believes we need to work hard, but he allows us to celebrate at practice.”

Of course, being a defender meant that Lipsey didn’t rack up the goals and assists that usually draw the headlines, finishing with two goals and two assists. Instead, he anchored the team’s defense.

Pulaski outscored teams 99-32 on the season. The Red Raiders shut out nine opponents, including a pair of 1-0 games — one of which was against Tomah in a sectional final to help the team qualify for state.

“My job as captain was to make sure we were all ready to take the field — I also needed to assist not only our goalie but the entire defense. When I attacked the ball, I knew that my teammates were backing me up. They knew too that I had their back when they went forward to stop the ball. It’s my responsibility to set the right tone for our defense and come out as strong as possible every night,” said Lipsey on his responsibilities were on match nights.

“I have always loved playing defense ever since my first club team. The main way we held teams to low goals was using each other as much as possible. Individually, I use my strength and speed to stop attacks and also have been really good at hitting headers on defense and during corner kicks.”

Coach Schneider raved of Lipsey’s play and leadership, and noted he played in every game despite dealing with a high ankle sprain and shin splints.

“Without Austin’s strong presence in the center of our back line, there’s no way we play the kind of confident defense we did this year, especially in big games,” said Schneider.

“The effect Austin had on our team goes way beyond statistics. He had the complete respect of all his teammates and always showed great sportsmanship toward opponents and officials.”

Lipsey’s favorite moments from the season came in back-to-back matches.

His favorite team moment was “definitely winning the sectional final because we made it so far last season, but lost in the final and we won this year and we ended up being the second Pulaski soccer team to go to state. Winning that game was one of our main goals, and we accomplished that.”

His favorite individual moment came in the sectional semifinal match.

“We had the biggest student section in my two years on varsity at that game, and I made a move and got past two people and I heard the loudest cheer I have ever heard,” Lipsey said.

Honorable mentions

Pulaski had a number of individuals enjoy special seasons on the field on the way to state.

Ryan Drafz led the team with 21 goals and four assists while also battling some injuries. Chase Ambrosius assisted on 14 of the team’s goals and added seven of his own. Goalie Mason Baker stopped 94 shots as the team’s last line of defense.

Julian Perez and Drake Herm led Shawano offensively this fall, leading the team in goals and assists. Goalie Brandon Reed made over 100 saves on the season.

Team of the Year

Pulaski earns the Team of the Year nod after finishing 18-5-2 on the season and qualifying for state. The Red Raiders battled to a fourth-place finish in the Fox River Classic Conference.

Pulaski won its final three matches in the regular season and then kept things rolling to start the postseason. The Red Raiders picked up a No. 1 seed in Division 2 before outscoring their two regional opponents 21-1.

Pulaski kept its season alive with a sectional semifinal win over West De Pere, winning 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout before edging Tomah 1-0 in the sectional final.

The Red Raiders were topped 4-2 by Whitefish Bay in a state semifinal match in Milwaukee.

sports@newmedia-wi.com