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Wisconsin Joins Northeast RCT

  • 12 Jun 2018
  • 1023 Views

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)

Wisconsin

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