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Warbirds flying high and for real

By Michael Trzinski - WiPH Staff, 01/03/16, 4:30PM CST

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Fondy co-op's success reminiscent of Cowan years

It seems like it was a long time ago but it really wasn't.

Six weeks ago, Wisconsin Prep Hockey posted its annual pre-season Top 10s for both the boys and the girls.

As I always say this time of year, the pre-season Top 10s are a 'crapshoot,' which is a word that the major online dictionaries give the following meanings: unpredictable, an outcome determined by chance, etc, etc.

Regardless, or irregardless--I can never remember which--the Fond du Lac co-op Warbirds were nowhere to be found on that sainted list.

But as the December 2015 page was ripped off the calendar and January 2016 replaced it, guess what?

The Warbirds are ranked sixth in the state with a record of 11-1-1, fresh off their solid 4-2 victory over second-ranked Central Wisconsin.

Thus far this year, the 'Birds have defeated (current rankings in parentheses) Northland Pines (8), Bay Area (3), Eau Claire-Altoona (10), and Central Wisconsin (2).

The only blemishes on the sterling Warbirds record are a loss to #7 Fox Cities and a draw with top-ranked University School.

All-in-all, pretty impressive for a team that wasn't on the crystal clear WiPH radar (tongue firmly in cheek).

Head coach Duane Woeshnick grabbed the coaching reins from John Nejedlo in time for the 2012-13 season and the team has averaged 11 wins per year since then.

Heck, it is only January 2 and the Warbirds have matched that total already and show no signs of slowing down.

This season reminds me of the Fondy/Waupun teams of Mike Cowan, who coached the team for eight years back in the 2000s and earned two state titles (2004, 2006) and three runner-up finishes (2003, 2008, 2009). His teams reached 19 wins on three separate occasions. 

This team is headed in that direction.

Woeshnick has been in charge for four years and two players that were with him from the beginning are among his leaders.

Senior forward Kendalynn Acheson leads the team in scoring (11g-13a) while classmate Miranda Zipp (8g-7a) isn't far behind.

Each class is contributing as well.

Junior forward Callie Tighe (14g-5a) is the leading goal scorer on the well-balanced team, which has eight girls with ten points or more.

Sophomore Mary Skorupa (4g-12a) is second on the team with a dozen assists, just behind Acheson's baker's dozen.

Two freshmen are stepping up big time: Maike Zipp (11g-7a) and Morgan Brown (7g-9a) are key members of the top six forwards.

The defensemen play solid defense and pitch in on the scoring end when needed.

Juniors Kylee Dyni (4g-10a) and Maddy Ott (0g-1a) are the 'old-timers' of the top four, and they are joined by sophomore Lauren Huettl (1g-4a) and freshman Drew Deanovich (3g-7a).

Backing them all up is junior goalie Rebecca Binder, who sports a .929 save percentage and a goals-against-average of 1.45. She has two shutouts while going 8-1-1 in her starts.

"We have a great mixture of upperclassmen and newcomers," noted Woeshnick. "There are many leaders on the team and the chemistry has been great."

The road to Madison via Sectional 4 is arguably the toughest in the state, with four Top 10 teams vying to play at the Clamshell. Bay Area, University School, and Fox Cities will make the bracket a tough win.

That doesn't deter Woeshnick and the Warbirds, though.

"Our goal is to get to state and win a championship," said the coach.

Based on what has happened so far this season with Fondy hockey, don't be surprised to see them on the ice in Mad Town on March 4.