Brookfield Central Sneak By Holmen With 98th Minute Winner
Post-match interview with Brookfield Central head coach Dan Makal
Brookfield Central survived a tense D2 state semifinal Thursday, defeating Holmen 1-0 in overtime despite generating chance after chance throughout the match. The defending state champs fired 20 shots on goal but were repeatedly denied by Holmen’s keeper, Moira Linse, along with a disciplined defensive game plan.
Head Coach Dan Makal said his team showed composure despite having a roster that blends experienced veterans and younger players that are still gaining valuable postseason experience. While Brookfield Central returned much of last year’s championship core, Makal credited the sophomores who logged significant minutes for helping the team navigate high pressure environments.
The Lancer’s biggest strength once again was their defense. Brookfield Central entered the semifinal without allowing a goal during the postseason, a streak Makal attributed to continued defensive improvement. That defensive consistency allowed the team to remain patient until the breakthrough arrived in the 97th minute. A dangerous service into the box, and Bella Perez finished it with a game winning goal, sending Brookfield Central back to the state championship match. Makal described the goal as both exciting and relieving after a match in which his team felt it had done enough to score earlier.
They will look to defend the D2 state title against Wauwatosa East at 11:00am on Saturday.
J.J. Mei, Wisco Mei-Hem