06/15/2026
Congratulations to the DeForest Girls Soccer team on earning a trip to State for the first time in program history!
As exciting as this week is, I'm sure there's also a little stress mixed in. State is a big stage, and it can feel like a lot is riding on your shoulders. If that's the case, don't be afraid to lean on the people around you... even if some of them seem impossibly old.
Take your assistant coaches Jordan and McKenna, for example. Yes, they're teachers. Yes, they graduated about a decade ago. And yes, they played at DeForest back when DMB Stadium had actual grass. That's right... grass. No turf. No fancy black pellets in your socks. Just good old-fashioned grass and mud.
The funny thing is, they're a lot more like you than you might think.
They worried before big games. They dreamed about making deep playoff runs. They celebrated wins, dealt with losses, and made memories with teammates who became lifelong friends. Jordan went on to play for Wisconsin Women's Soccer, and McKenna continued her career at UW-La Crosse, but before any of that, they were DeForest players wearing the same jersey you wear today.
Looking through some old photos, I'm not sure they'll thank me for sharing them, but they're a reminder that every generation of DeForest soccer leaves its mark. The players change, the hairstyles definitely change, but the pride in representing DeForest stays the same.
Today, Jordan and McKenna are still part of your team and still part of the DeForest soccer legacy. They're standing on the sidelines helping guide the next generation, just as others once helped guide them.
No matter what happens at State, take a moment to appreciate what you've already accomplished. You've gone further than any team in program history. You've inspired younger players. You've created memories that will be talked about for years. And you've added your own chapter to the story of DeForest Girls Soccer.
Now go enjoy the moment. You've earned it.
