Gerrard Diaz, gdiaz@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School senior Dan Boivin takes a shot on goal during a Bay Conference match against Menasha on Thursday night. Shawano earned a No. 6 seed in the WIAA Division 2 tournament.
Gresham/Bowler (15-3-3) earned a No. 4 seed in the WIAA Division 4 tournament, the highest seed of the area’s teams.
Gresham/Bowler coach Nate Boucher said his players thought they could have had a higher seed and are out to prove it.
“We definitely had the best record going into the (seeding) meeting,” Boucher said. “I guess other teams’ coaches felt different. So (the Gresham/Bowler players) just want to go out and prove to everyone that we should be coming out on top.”
The Wildcats have had a lot of success this season.
“Offensively, we’ve been very strong, put up a lot of goals,” Boucher said. “Our defense has been pretty solid all year long, after the first two games.”
Gresham/Bowler allowed 10 goals in the first two games but got stingy in a hurry.
“Since then, I think we’ve averaged about a half a goal a game,” Boucher said.
Sophomore goalkeeper Neal Cerveny has played well, and senior sweeper Christian Haffner has played a big role in solidifying the defense.
“Christian has been the backbone of the defense,” Boucher said.
The Wildcats have been led offensively by senior forward Drew Payne, who has 26 goals. Senior Kalen Fischer and freshman Drew Haffner have also been contributing up front.
The No. 4 seed gives the Wildcats a home game Tuesday against No. 5 Wautoma (5-8-3, 2-1-1 South Central).
Gresham/Bowler made it to the Division 4 regional final last season but lost 5-1 to Columbus Catholic.
The winner of Tuesday’s match will face either No. 1 Stevens Point Pacelli, last year’s regional champions, or No. 8 Northland Lutheran. They play on Tuesday night in Stevens Point.
Shawano (6-9-1, 5-3 Bay Conference) earned a sixth seed in the Division 2 regional. The Hawks will be on the road Tuesday against No. 3 Wausau East (10-3-5, 6-1-5 Wisconsin Valley Conference). East has yet to lose at home this season, but had two matches end in ties.
Shawano made it to the Division 2 regional final last season, but lost 2-1 to Marshfield.
Clintonville (6-6-2, 2-5 Eastern Valley) is the No. 5 seed in Division 3. The Truckers will open the tournament Tuesday on the road at No. 4 Medford ( 7-7-2, 4-5-1 Great Northern).