Clean Sweep Weekend for 19U

The 19U team took on the Wisconsin Wild Major and Minor teams the weekend of September 20 & 21 and tallied up 3 victories by outscoring them 17 to 3 and out shooting the competition 84 to 26. 

Coming off a tough weekend at the Findlay Tournament the weekend of September 12-14, the TI U19s reloaded and took on the Wisconsin Wild U19 Majors and U19 Minors the weekend of September 20th and 21st. 

On Saturday, TI hosted the Wisconsin Wild Majors in a game at Seven Bridges. The girls quickly came out scoring and won the game 4-1 with goals from Allie Morrow (1), Sonja Novak (1) and Lexie Kaknes (2) with assists from Sonja, Allie and Kellye Stefanski. Overall TI out shot the Wild 28 to 4! 

On the Sunday games, TI traveled north of the boarder to play the Wild at The Pond. The girls continued their scoring and came away with a 5-1 victory against the U19 Majors. Goals were scored by Amanda Auger (1), Lexie (2), Sonja (1) and Karen Levin (1). Assists were provided by Jillian Kirchner (1) and Karen (1). This time the shots on goal were closer with TI retaining a 20 to 16 shots on goal advance. 

After just enough time to re-surface the rink, the TI was back out on this ice to take on the Wisconsin Wild U19 Minors. The goals came early and often with the final goal 8-1 and TI coming away with another victory before heading back home. Scores came from Kellye (2), Jillian (2), Lexie (2), Allie (1), and Sonja (1). Assists came from Sonja (3), Jillian (1), Courtney Stefanski (1), Karen (1), Allie (1) and Lexie (1). Again, TI came out on top with 36 shots on goal vs.. 6 for the U19 Minors. 

The TI U19s will take on the Wisconsin Wild U19 Minors again on Sunday, October 5th, down at Seven Bridges.

16U Open Their Season in Findlay

The 16U team opened the season in Findlay, Ohio on September 19th. The tournament consisted of 4 games over the course of the weekend. The girls opened with a victory over Rochester which was the only win of the tournament. The only goal of the game was scored  by Kerry Mullins on an open net. RyAnn McCarthy was exceptional in the nets, and had a very strong tournament. Coach Terry LaBella used the games to try different line combinations and see how the team stacked up. Everyone was encouraged by the strong effort against the undefeated Colorado Selects in the final game. Team Illinois lost that game 2-1 on a late goal in the third period. We almost tied the game with a late flurry with 4 minutes to go. 

The middle games were played against Little Caesars and the Wisconsin Wild. T.I. was outshot in both games and both resulted in losses. Rachel Tuszynski and Katie Osikowicz had several solid chances, and the Wisconsin game featured a breakaway goal by Shannon Breen for our only tally of the game. This was the girls first opportunity to get to know each others styles under actual game conditions. The team worked hard and showed that they can compete with any of the other programs. We are looking forward to a successful season under Coaches Terry LaBella and Phil Duran. 

TI Girls 19U Open Their 2003-2004 Season

Team Illinois' 19U Girls opened their 2003/2004 season the weekend of Sept 12-14 with a trip to the Findlay Ohio Flames Fall Classic in Findlay Ohio. Led by Coaches Rob Granato and Jason Piwko, the 2002/2003 Blackhawk Cup State Champions have 8 returning TI members (Seniors - Karen Levin, Allie Morrow, and Sonja Novak Juniors - Olivia Antognoli, Lexie Kaknes, Courtney Stefanski, and Kellye Stefanski, and Freshman Jillian Kirchner) and 6 new members (Seniors - Rachel Crissy, and Leigh Reisberg, Juniors - Amanda Auger, Elaine McKenna, and Samantha Ullrich, and Sophomore - Courtney Bean). 

While the team did not come away with any wins they played strong defense allowing only 7 goals across 4 games. McKenna and Reisberg split goalkeeping duties for the weekend. Even with the losses Team Illinois out shot their opponents in 3 of the 4 games. Overall the shots on goal were 79 to 44 in favor of TI. The lone goal was scored by Olivia Antognoli, however it is only a matter of time before everyone else will be getting in on the scoring act. 

Team Illinois' next opponent will be the Wisconsin Wild. TI will be playing a series of three against the Wisconsin Wild the weekend of Sept 20-21, with one game being played at Seven Bridges and two games up the Wild's home rink, The Pond.