Marquette Hilltoppers soccer team sets eyes on back-to-back state titles
MILWAUKEE- Marquette Hilltopper soccer has been around for quite some time, 51 seasons. The (MUHS) Marquette University High School soccer program began in 1970 under the direction of Bob Gansler, an MUHS German teacher, and advocate for the program. During the program’s 51-year history, the school has won a spectacular 31 state soccer championships (16 WISAA and 15 WIAA) and placed second on eight other occasions.
Marquette is the only high school soccer team in Wisconsin to win five consecutive titles (2014-18), and Marquette is also the only program to win four straight titles (2000-03) in addition to their five straight titles. Marquette has also won three straight titles (2010-12).
Marquette Director of Athletics Robert Herman said of the program on the MUHS website, as they celebrated their 50th season last year.
“It’s remarkable that our Soccer program has had such sustained success over the last 50 years. The accomplishments of the program are a testament to our extraordinary coaches, who set high expectations for athletic play and for the character development of their players.”
Herman continued, “The soccer program reinforced an ideal that Marquette High instills in all of its students – to be servant leaders to their community. Our former players have answered that challenge, becoming significant contributors to those all around them. They look back fondly on their Marquette High experience, even if it was a long time ago because it helped shape the men they ultimately became.”
Fifty-one seasons and that success remains. Last Saturday, Marquette continued that history, defeating Kenosha Tremper, 3-0, in Division 1 sectional final at West Allis Hale. Sunday, the team, ranked third in the nation by United Soccer Coaches, received the No. 1 seed in the four-team state tournament bracket. It will face De Pere in a state semifinal at 10 a.m. Thursday at Uihlein Soccer Park, the 4,000-seat stadium on Milwaukee’s north side.
Marquette’s next opponent De Pere finished fifth in the Fox River Classic before upsetting conference champion Bay Port as well as Sussex Hamilton and Green Bay Preble in the tournament.
With all of the success Marquette has, they don’t take their opponents for granted. Marquette’s philosophy is to respect your opponent. Marquette senior midfielder Miguel Gonzalez said. “We take every game with the same mentality. Treat every opponent the same. We’ve had so many games this year. We’re pretty tired, I’d say, so we’ve got to stay on top of things and move on to the next game.”
Marquette recorded its sixth straight shutout and its 15th of the season. Anchored by junior goalkeeper CK Deslongchamps and all-state defender Sam Magner, the team has allowed 10 goals this season, though only three were scored by in-state opponents.
“We defend as a team. We get back. … We just really fight for each other,” Magner said. “We’re just out there helping each other as much as we can.”
Steve Lawrence, Hilltoppers coach since 2006, said, “There’s a lot of guys who on a given day can do something for us. And we’re deep. Our depth has been a big thing for us this year, that we can bring people in off the bench and keep our level high.”
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