Pulaski boys soccer team qualifies for state

The Pulaski High School boys soccer team is headed to state for the second time in school history after winning a Division 2 sectional title last week.

Top-seeded Pulaski edged West De Pere 4-3 in penalty kicks to claim a sectional semifinal win on Oct. 27 in Pulaski and then topped fifth-seeded Tomah 1-0 in an Oct. 29 sectional final in Pulaski to punch its ticket to state.

The team’s other state appearance came in 2014, with a number of close calls since. That made qualifying this year extra gratifying, especially for a roster that includes 16 seniors.

“Qualifying for state as a senior this year is definitely something special,” said goalie Mason Baker. “Our team was very close last year, but unfortunately we fell short. I think this only made us stronger for this year, however. A lot of our veteran players, including myself, remember how heartbreaking it was to be that close for a shot at state and lose. Everyone in this game definitely played with a sense of urgency and revenge for last year.”

“It’s very special; I honestly couldn’t ask for anything better,” said senior Ryan Drafz. “We lost last year in the sectional finals, so it feels really nice to even the score and advance to state. We were able to win with confidence, passion and playing the full game. We never let up or gave up; we played our hearts out, and that’s why we were able to win and advance to state.”

Ben Uelmen netted the lone goal against Tomah, scoring unassisted in the 28th minute.

Baker and the team’s defense handled things from there, shutting out Tomah. Baker was credited with six saves in the contest.

“I certainly think that last year’s experience being the 1 seed and coming up short in the sectional final provided ample motivation,” said Pulaski coach Jeff Schneider. “We had 14 guys returning who either played in that game or were present on the bench. Aside from that, I think it was clear early on that we had the ingredients needed to get to this point. We had a very good start to the season and at one point cracked the top 10 in state rankings (first time in program history), so it really helped get our mindset focused on getting the job done this year.”

Pulaski was handed a No. 4 seed for the Division 2 state tournament. The Red Raiders will battle No. 1 Whitefish Bay at 11 a.m. Nov. 3 at Kohler Engines Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.

A win would send Pulaski to the state title match against either No. 2 Oregon or No. 3 Waukesha West at 11 a.m. Nov. 5.

“We haven’t discussed any goals yet for state because we should really only have one, and that’s to win,” said senior Chase Ambrosius.

“One team goal we have is to win. Another goal is to work as a team, no matter what. We can’t give up because anything can happen in 80 minutes,” said Drafz.

In the sectional semifinal against West De Pere, Drafz scored off an Ambrosius assist in the 50th minute to put the hosts ahead. West De Pere scored four minutes later to knot the game at one, and it remained that way through regulation and two overtime periods.

In the penalty kick shootout, Baker made two saves, which allowed the team a chance to win it. Ambrosius had the match-sealing kick.

“It’s definitely a great feeling for the players, the school and the community,” said Schneider on making state again. “We’ve been so close for so long, going back to even 2015 when we were in the sectional final that year as well. Since then, there’s been several years in between where we had a high playoff seed and endured some really tough playoff defeats.

“So the concept and opportunity of getting through to state is not foreign to the players in our program, and every year that concept gets passed down from group to group, and through those past experiences we learn more about what it takes,” Schneider continued. “But we are here now, and it’s really about what this team and these players have and can achieve. It’s going to be a special experience for them, but our focus is competing at the highest level and representing our school and community in a positive and respectable manner — and, of course, winning these next two games.”

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