DeForest girls soccer beats Monona Grove in overtime

DeForest defeated Monona Grove 4–3 in overtime in a Division 2 girls soccer sectional semifinal to move one win from state.

Competing in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Division 2 state sectional semifinals on Thursday, June 11, the seventh-seeded Norskies (13-6-2) earned a 4-3 overtime victory over sixth-seeded Monona Grove (10-5-4) at Monona Grove High School, earning a berth to the state sectional final game this Saturday.

DeForest defeated the Silver Eagles in the single overtime period -- needing just four minutes to do so -- Because of an unassisted goal from freshman forward/midfielder Allison Rusch at the 84-minute mark to give DeForest the one-goal victory.

DeForest, who tied with Monona Grove 1-1 in their only inter-conference matchup this year in early April, scored first when senior captain midfielder/forward Marissa Titlel scored, assisted by sophomore defender Mary Stumbris, at the 24-minute mark.

12 minutes later, DeForest expanded its lead to 2-0 when freshman forward/midfielder Ema Rincon scored, assisted by Titel, before Monona Grove connected on a penalty kick to end the half.

Overtime winner

Leading 2-1, Monona Grove scored back-to-back goals at the 51-minute mark and the 58-minute mark to take a 3-2 lead over DeForest.

Undeterred, freshman forward/midfielder Hailey Estness knocked in a goal at the 69-minute mark to tie the game back up at six apiece before Rusch's goal sealed the victory for DeForest in overtime.

DeForest goalkeeper, freshman Kobi Burdick, had two saves on the evening.

Following the victory, DeForest finds itself in a familiar spot, the sectional title game, for the second consecutive season.

DeForest will now look to qualify to state for the first time in program history. They will get to do so on their home turf against No. 5 seed Edgewood on Saturday, June 13, at DMB Community Bank Stadium.

Per the WIAA, game time is set for 1:30 p.m. Edgewood defeated No. 1 seed Waterford 6-5 (5-4) to advance to the sectional title game.