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Photo: Mike Capati
The Wisconsin High School All-Star teams are heading to New Jersey this weekend for the Northeast Regional Cup Tournament (RCT), and it’s not the first time the program has sought competition outside of the Midwest. During the previous three summers, Wisconsin has competed in the Mid-Atlantic (Pittsburgh), South (North Carolina) and West (Denver) RCTs, among other fixtures.
Once again, Wisconsin HS All-Star coach Jeff Noe is bringing Tier 1 (16-18 year olds) and Tier 2 (14-16 year olds) squads on the road. Tryouts were held in early May, and 42 players from 10 different programs will be representing the state.
“The biggest challenge will be getting everyone onto the same page and working as a team,” Noe explained. “Hopefully the 15-hour bus ride leads to lots of team bonding.”
There’s been a lot of turnover since last year, with only six seniors on this year’s squad. Noe is fortunate to have a full, dedicated staff to aid the gelling process and trip. Alex Glorioso (Catholic Memorial) is coaching Tier 1, while Amanda Pohle (Oshkosk) is leading Tier 2. Betsy Wendelberger (Knightmares), Joe Garcia (Marquette) and Amanda Gilibian (Bruisers) all serve as assistant coaches.
“It has been difficult to replace the likes of Megan Bird, Emma Conrad and Emily Becker, but the majority of the juniors played together on last year’s Tier 2 squad and have some familiarity,” Noe honored alumnae that currently play at Davenport University, Lindenwood University and Winona State, respectively. “We are looking forward to an awesome experience. We’ll get to take in some sightseeing in New York City beforehand and the opportunity to play different teams.”
New Jersey is fielding two teams, while Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania will also supply Tier 1 sides. Wisconsin’s Tier 1 team is anchored in Catholic Memorial flyhalf Allison Koenig, who is heading to Quinnipiac University in the fall.
“She has been in several big games and we will look to her to be a calming influence out on the field,” Noe praised the Girls’ High School All-American. “For the Tier 2 side, we are always excited to see who will step up and respond to the missing leadership and guidance of the upperclassmen and produce big plays on their own.”
Noe is surveying the rest of the RCTs, watching for the best-attended Tier 2 competition. Wisconsin regularly fields two sides and wants guaranteed, varied opponents for its youngsters, and next year’s travel decisions will be heavily influenced by Tier 2 options.
NORTHEAST RCT SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 16
9 a.m. New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania
10 a.m. Connecticut vs. Maryland
11 a.m. Tier 2: New Jersey vs. Wisconsin
12:30 p.m. Wisconsin vs. New Jersey
1:30 p.m. Connecticut vs. Pennsylvania
2:30 p.m. Maryland vs. Wisconsin
Sunday, June 17
9 a.m. Maryland vs. New Jersey
10 a.m. Pennsylvania vs. Wisconsin
11 a.m. Tier 2: New Jersey vs. Wisconsin
12:30 p.m. Connecticut vs. Wisconsin
1:30 p.m. Pennsylvania vs. Maryland
2:30 p.m. Connecticut vs. New Jersey
WISCONSIN HS ALL-STARS
TIER 1
Piper Bailey – Jr., Madtown
Kaylee Braatz – Jr., Bruisers
Lexi Engelhardt – Sr., Sirens
Adriana Gonzalez – Jr., DSHA
Jade Green – Jr., Knightmares
Bella Huschitt – Soph., DSHA
Emma Kaczynski – Jr., DSHA
Abigail Kayser – Soph., DSHA
Jenna Klenz – Jr., DSHA
Gwen Knutson – Soph., Bruisers
Allison Koenig – Sr., CMH
Cassidy Kratochvil – Sr., Bruisers
Abbie Kuklinski – Jr., CMH
Madeline Pawlak – Jr., CMH
Natalia Perez – Jr., DSHA
Anna Riemersma – Soph., Sirens
Areliz Rivera – Sr., Bruisers
Mia Wandtke – Sr., SPASH
Brittany Willett – Sr., Sirens
Makinzie Youngblood – Jr., DSHA
Sidney Zaug – Jr., DSHA
TIER 2
Evelyn Barta – Fr., CMH
Alyssa Cunningham – Fr., CMH
Maggie Dineen – Soph., DSHA
Evelin Feutz – Soph., Pulaski
Hannah Fleming – Jr., Knightmares
Katie Heinrich – Soph., Knightmares
Phoebe Kotecki – Fr., Bruisers
Sarah Kuczkowski – Soph., CMH
Kylee Leahy – Soph., Vernon Mayhem
Mackenzi Lemke – Jr., DSHA
Sofia Luciano – Fr., DSHA
Mackenna Marinello – Soph., Vernon Mayhem
Dani McQuillan – Fr., Pulaski Flyers
Valentina Medrano – Soph., CMH
Ellie Olson – Jr., Vernon Mayhem
Hannah Pfersch – Soph., Sussex Hamilton
Lea Preuss – Fr., Bruisers
Alexis Scott – Soph., Pulaski
Georgia Uselman – Soph., Madtown
Maddie Willett – Fr., Sirens
Kieran Zalewski – Soph., DSHA
STAFF
Jeff Noe – Head Coach
Alex Glorioso – Tier 1 Coach (CMH)
Amanda Pohle – Tier 2 Coach (Oshkosh Girls)
Betsy Wendelberger – Assistant Coach (Knightmares)
Joe Garcia – Assistant Coach (Marquette Univ. Women)
Amanda Gilibian – Assistant Coach (Bruisers)