Connor Brehm had plenty of time to think about his senior soccer season at St. Catherine's High School.

Long hours spent at Flex Gym gave the captain of the WIAA Division 3 state champion Angels an opportunity to set some personal and team goals. Those goals - all of which were accomplished - included a conference and state championship as well as player of the year in the Midwest Classic Conference and Racine County. He was named All-Racine County Player of the year in a vote by the county's coaches.

Brehm's efforts to become stronger went a long way toward accomplishing his goals.

"My freshman, sophomore and junior years, I was like everybody else," Brehm said. "I was pretty lanky and my dad said if you want to really stick out you have to get bigger. I lifted like crazy every day and I got a lot bigger. It was pretty rare that I got pushed off the ball."

Brehm became a consistent scorer this season after making the transition from sweeper to forward

midway through his junior season. Brehm scored in 22 of the Angels' 25 games and has attracted interest from a number of college programs.

"I have to say I'm more of a natural defender," Brehm said. "Some colleges want me as a forward and some want me to play in the back. I'd say I'm more of a defender, though."

St. Catherine's coach Ben Lake appreciated Brehm's consistency.

"He had six game-winners and scored 23 goals on 52 shots," Lake said. "That's just an amazing rate of finishing."

It was fitting the season ended with Brehm getting in one more lift when he and his St. Catherine's teammates hoisted the WIAA Division 3 state championship trophy.

"Winning a state championship meant a lot to me," Brehm said. "We had a lot of players get injured but I didn't get down. We just stayed with it, kept the effort and continued our training. I'm really proud of my teammates and I've got to give coach Lake props. I wouldn't be who I am if not for him."