Ozaukee and Random Lake combine efforts to make WIAA girls state soccer

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The Ozaukee/Random Lake co-op girls soccer team, making their first-ever combined trip to the WIAA state tournament. All involved say the two rivals came together quickly, for one common goal.

"And Random Lake was -- we were suffering with numbers. It was either this or no program," Ozaukee/Random Lake Head Coach Matt Wilson says.

"I know if we were alone or they were alone, we probably wouldn't be in this spot," Co-Captain Chloe Dybul says. "So, the fact that we all get to work together and use our different, I mean, talents, is great."

"For basketball, the boys basketball teams fight over a jersey that's sewn together," Co-Captain Madi Prom says. "For football? They fight over a cream bucket. Soccer used to be an oar. So, our jerseys have oars crossed on them. That's where that comes from because we used to fight over the oar. So, I mean..."

So now it's a combined oar effort?

"Yeah!" Prom says with a laugh.

"Before the season, I kind of gave them all an interview," Wilson says. "A piece of paper, questions, what they wanted out of this season, what they wanted out of the program. And one of the common denominators was state."

And more small-town connections. The Ozaukee/Random Lake team practiced on Cedar Grove-Belgium's turf field to prep for state.

"Watching them win state last year was everything for us too," Prom says. "Even though they were in our division and a little salty."

"And they beat us, but?" Dybul says laughing.

"We can be salty about it and still support each other," Prom added.

"Like, you see here, the way they take it upon themselves," Wilson says. "These girls, they're special. They've put in a lot of work outside the season. Which that also is what it takes to get to state. And they've just embraced each other. And I tell you, every time I think about them or talk about them, I get emotional. I just do, because it's like the perfect storm."

"Watch out for us at state!" Co-Captain Chesney Mayer says.

"Yeah, come watch us! " Co-Captain Faith Wilson says.

"We're comin'!" Mayer says with a laugh.