2003 19U State Champions

Team Members: 
Olivia Antognoli, Stephanie Benson, Susan Dreeben, Kirsten Forsberg, Lexie Kaknes, Daley Kirby, Lauren Kuhn, Karen Levin, Sam Menton, Rebekah Mitter, Allie Morrow, Sonja Novak, Krystyn Samborski, Courtney Stefanski, Kellye Stefanski, Jackie Wedster, Carolyn Zidek 
Head Coach: Zeke Kochniarczyk 
Assistant Coach: Nick Kochniarczyk 
Manager: Jean Kaknes 

The Team Illinois Girls U-19 team played the Chicago Mission on Sunday, March 2, at the Edge for the rights to advance to regionals. Team Illinois prevailed 2-1 in overtime to earn the right to advance. The game was well attended by parents and other TI players, who witnessed a dominating performance from the midgets. 

Both goals for TI were scored by Olivia Antognoli. Jackie Wedster assisted on her first, and Karen Levin assisted on the game winner in overtime. Rebekah Mitter was in net for TI, allowing the lone goal on a scramble in front of the net. 

TI had considerable opportunity to put the game away early and often, but the goalie for the Mission came up with saves to keep her team in the game. Daley Kirby hit the post early in the game. The scoring chances by TI were often, as Sonja Novak, Lexie Kaknes, Daley Kirby and Karen Levin were shooting at will, but could not find the back of the net. Early in the third period, Levin scored from in front, but the goal was disallowed by an early whistle. 

The game went into overtime, and it was clear from the beginning that the TI girls were not going to allow the Mission any good scoring opportunities. At the 3:30 mark, Levin had the puck deep in the Mission zone, and fed Antognoli at the point for a one-timer that eluded the Mission netminder for the game winner. 

The team speed that TI has was clearly superior to a slow Mission team. Sonja Novak was unstoppable as she blew by every player on the Mission time and again. And defensively, Sonja shut down every attempt by the Mission to advance the puck. Ally Morrow played a great game, catching a slow Mission player on a clear breakaway and turning the play around immediately, as well as Kirsten Forsberg, who similarly caught a player from behind, not allowing any scoring chance. 

The team now advances to the regional competition against either the Wisconsin Wild or the Madison Capitols in two weeks in Madison. We wish them success in their quest to advance.