The Sturgeon Bay Clippers' hopes of advancing to the state tournament in Milwaukee came to an end Thursday night with a 3-1 loss to the Xavier Hawks at Clark Field.

The Hawks came out with high intensity, but the Clippers matched their effort throughout the first half. It was a rematch of last year's sectional final, when the Clippers eliminated the Hawks in a shootout.

Sturgeon Bay struck first in the second half when Stevenson scored on a header off an assist from Ismali in the 50th minute. However, Xavier answered just 63 seconds later to tie the game at 1.

The quick response appeared to take the wind out of the Clippers' sails and shift the momentum in Xavier's favor. The Hawks took the lead with another goal in the 64th minute before adding an insurance goal in the 70th minute to seal the victory.

The loss brings an impressive season to a close for the Clippers. Xavier advances to face another Packerland Conference team, Providence Academy, after they pulled off a 1-0 upset of top-ranked Kiel.