New-look CG-Belgium soccer still formidable

Eighty goals and 53 assists. That’s what the Cedar Grove-Belgium High School girls’ soccer team lost from three of 10 graduating seniors last season, including the state’s all-time leading scorer, Cora Erickson, a four-time Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Also on that list is Grace Konzak, who is fourth in the state in career assists with 84, and Aubrey Marti, a three-time member of the Big East first team.

Among the other six starters gone is Olivia Bahr, a three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

“It’s obviously very different,” coach Zac Garza said.

The team, much of it part of the 2024 state champion, went 24-1 last season, with its only loss coming in the sectional final.

Most programs in that situation would be rebuilding. Not Cedar Grove-Belgium.

They return senior Gracie Schmidt, who tied Konzak’s single-season school record last year with 30 assists — second in the state — and she was third on the team with 17 goals.

Junior Arden Getschman is back after tallying 36 goals, tied for 10th in the state, with 29 assists, third in the state.

Getschman was named to the Big East first team last season and Schmidt the second team.

Garza said that pair is expected to handle much of the scoring load this year, and so far they have picked up where they left off.

Getschman scored three goals and Schmidt had three assists in a 3-2 win at Manitowoc Lincoln on March 31.

“Then whatever support we can get from the freshmen and youngsters is going to be icing on the cake,” Garza said.

Mara Getschman, Arden’s sister, comes in as a freshman with shooting ability and “has a lovely eye for a pass,” he said.

Freshman Polly Lemberg is a natural offensive player “who certainly knows here way around the goal,” Garza said.

Senior Kami Horn, whose explosiveness was slowed by a nagging injury last season, will move from the outside to the center midfield, replacing graduate Aubrey Marti, the firecracker who started the Rockets’ offense.

Junior Alivia Szyszkiewicz will also be worked into the offense, and freshman Raygan Bialzik has looked good at center mid so far, Garza said.

On defense, speedy senior Mia Grisolono moves into Bahr’s spot as center back and leader. She earned Big East honorable mention last season.

“It’s an adjustment not having her partner in crime,” Garza said of Bahr.

Freshman Carissa Konzak, Grace’s younger sister, can also play center back.

Junior Claire Prinsen is back after seeing heavy playing time at right back last season, and senior Riley Albinger, who came off the bench last year, can “expect to get a lot of playing time,” Garza said.

“We will certainly be younger in the back, but there won’t be a loss of quality,” Garza said.

Senior Aubrey Johnson is back at keeper after being named to the Big East first team, but she is getting competition from freshman star Tessa Krause.

“She’s one of the top keepers in the state in her age group and plays for one of the top club teams in the nation,” Garza said of Krause. “I’ve already spoken to Division 1 coaches about her.”

The Rockets have 27 players in the program and will have junior varsity and varsity teams, with a few girls swapping back and forth.

The heavy graduation losses and impressive freshman class make for a different atmosphere.

“There was a sense and feeling of when times got tough, we turn to Cora or Aubrey, or Olivia would  bail us out,” Garza said.

“But at the same time, Arden or Gracie or Mia made key plays to win a match. These girls have all played in the biggest moments and biggest games that you can play in as high school soccer players.”

 This is what Garza likes as a coach.

“The transition phases are something I always enjoyed. I like to see who steps up, who wants to claim their moment and who’s ready to make that jump and take this team to the next level,” he said.

The Rockets, winners of six straight conference titles, will again have the targets on their back, and for the first time in a while be more vulnerable. Garza said he expects more parity this season, with Howards Grove, Oostburg, Kohler, St. Mary Catholic and Random Lake/Ozaukee all having quality squads.

“The first  goal is going to be finding our identity. After that, the next goal is to be putting ourselves in the mix to try to bring home another conference title, knowing it’s going to be more difficult. But we want to be up for it, we want to be up for the fight,” Garza said.

The Rockets were to host Lake Country Lutheran on Tuesday, April 7. They play at Nicolet on Friday, April 10, and at Brookfield Academy on Monday, April 13.