On Saturday, November 2, the Notre Dame Varsity Boys Soccer team took second place in the WIAA Division 3 title game at Uihlein Soccer Park, losing to Ashland 1-0.

The Tritons have been state runner-ups twice in their history – in 1994 and most recently in 2000. Head Coach Bob Rickards said being state runner-up feels good.

“To make it to the final game is an amazing feat,” he said. “There are so many teams that would love to be in that spot.”

Rickards said the team’s success this season can be attributed to their ability to work together as a unit: “Each player knowing their role and responsibility and then giving everything they have to achieve our goals.”

Because of their success this season, Rickards said he will continue some methods that worked next season.

“We will continue to emphasis ball movement…quick one-two touches on the ball to move forward on the pitch,” he said. “I think it’s too early to think about changing things…so we will keep things the same early on.”

“We have some ideas of who might be captains for next year but we will save that until the banquet,” he added.

The boys varsity soccer team has won state three times in their history – most recently only 5 years ago in 2008.

Rickards said he is extremely proud of the team this year. “To finish the season 21-4-4 is a great accomplishment,” he said.

“In fact this senior group has only lost 10 games out of the 57 they have played in the last 2 years. They finished 41-10-6 in a two year span. Not too bad!”

Senior defender Aaron Smet said he is thankful for the experience.

“We did something a lot of teams never get to do, and we accomplished something not many seniors ever get to do,” he said.

Senior Kieran DeGroot said the experience was bittersweet.

“It’s good to know you got there, but it would’ve been nice to win one more game,” he said. “Especially senior year, you wanted to do it for the other boys and the fans, including the parents, student body, and the community.”

Even though they couldn’t pull out a State Championship, Smet said he wouldn’t change a thing.

“It was a really great season,” he said. “I have no regrets.”