Cavaliers Capture the 2026 WIAA Division 3 State Soccer Championship

11/12/2026

Milwaukee, WI – For the second time in school history, the Cavaliers boys’ soccer team has earned the right to call themselves state champions. Facing off against the previously undefeated Edgerton Crimson Tide, the Cavaliers’ potent offense propelled them to a 3-1 victory and the right to hoist the gold ball. Fans of all ages, and even a small contingent of members from the 2006 state championship team, were on hand to witness history. 

I thought the fan support was incredible! Not only to see the number of fans in the stands, but to also celebrate this championship with former players and teammates of mine was incredible! It was especially humbling to see all the alumni come out, specifically the 2006 state championship team. We are forever grateful for their support," said Head Coach Jon Stahr (STM ‘12) as he reflected on the whole weekend. 

The team, in black with sky blue pinstripes, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when a ball played across the goal from Emilio Suarez Del Real was perfectly placed by senior forward Aiden Knitter to give the Cavs the lead late in the first half. Just before the stroke of halftime, sophomore forward Jeramani Denton found the back of the net with a world-class strike from outside the penalty area, sending the Cavaliers fan base into a loud roar. 

“I looked up, and I saw the defenders out wide, and there was space in the middle of the field, so I took that space, saw the keeper on the wrong post, and shot it. I don’t know why I shot it, but I did, and it went in,” stated sophomore Jeramani Denton. 

Edgerton scored their only goal of the night early in the second half off a set piece from Jose Diaz Flores just outside the penalty box. Senior midfielder Carter Anzalone had the final say after a free kick from outside the penalty box found the top corner past Edgerton’s goalkeeper Guillermo Diaz, who registered nine saves on the evening. 

“I put the ball down, I was confident, and I saw the goalie was totally on the opposite side, and I thought about going up and around the wall, and the shot was perfect,” Carter Anzalone said, reminiscing about his set-piece goal. 

As the final whistle blew, the team rushed the field to celebrate with the Cavalier faithful, while the coaching staff soaked it all in, knowing the job was done. 

“I mean, I said this in different papers and interviews, but this is what the staff and team set out to do since the beginning of the season, and I am fortunate to do it with some of my best friends on the sideline with me. To have Reyes (Perez, STM ‘15), Aaron (Horvat), Jason (Dhillon, STM ’12), and Santi (Esquival), and then even to bring back a throwback with Shannon (Slates Mortimer) on the sidelines as our Licensed Athletic Trainer, it was just a surreal and humbling experience,” exclaimed Head Coach Jon Stahr (STM ‘12).

The road to the state tournament was far from easy, as the Cavaliers finished a grueling regular season with a 12-3-2 record, facing quality non-conference opponents such as Franklin, Muskego, Waukesha West, Shorewood, Pewaukee, and Wauwatosa West, to name a few. The team would go on to win the Metro Conference with a 6-0-1 record for the first time since 2022. 

Their sectional, however, was deemed to be the most competitive they had faced in quite some time. A 1-0 victory over New Berlin Eisenhower — compliments of the only goal scored in the contest by Carter Anzalone—and a 2-0 victory over Catholic Memorial — featuring both goals by Jeramani Denton and crucial late-game heroics by goalkeeper Griffin Malum — would see the Cavaliers reach the state tournament for the third time in the school’s history. 

“We were fortunate to get a higher seed to get two regional games at home, followed by a huge sectional game against Eisenhower, and finally able to overcome Catholic Memorial in the sectional final. The energy and defensive work that we put in those two sectional games was incredible, and I thought we controlled the tempo against two very good teams,” stated Jon Stahr. 

Not only were the Cavaliers dangerous offensively, but their defense and midfield also helped apply the relentless pressure needed to achieve their goal. The team's success comes down to the players' commitment to buy in and believe — a sentiment instilled by the late Cavalier Soccer Head Coach Tomislav Markovic, who said you must get your players to believe they can do it. 

“Our belief was built through our summer practices and the work we did when no one was watching. We bought in after a setback at Shorewood, which led us to an 11-game win streak and a state title. In the end, it took trust in our teammates and coaches to push past our limits,” stated senior Captain Jacob Fricke. 

When asked what this moment meant for them: 

“This was only my first year, but I thought it was a great experience. I thought this was the best environment I could have been in, and I really enjoyed playing with this team,” said Carter Anzalone. 

“I never thought I would play high school soccer because of club soccer, but high school soccer helped me open my eyes, helped me as a player develop my game more, and made me realize the things I needed to work on. Winning state was a big accomplishment in my soccer career. It’s a feeling that I can’t explain,” said Jeramani Denton. 

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