The state’s top upperclassmen gathered in Chippewa Falls this past weekend for the 5th Annual WGHCA Girl’s Junior/Senior Festival. Sixty-five girls representing the state’s four sectionals participated in the two-day round robin tournament.

The trio of McKayla Zilisch (Fox Cities), Samantha Federici (CW Storm) and Shelby Tryba (WV Union) paced Section Two to an undefeated weekend and tournament championship. Three WGHCA All State selections, Zilisch led the way with 8 goals and 2 assists, Federici 2 goals and 4 assists and Tryba 3 goals and 2 assists. Bay Area’s Jenna Christopherson won all three games in net posting a 3.49 GAA. Section Two opened the tournament on Saturday morning with an exciting 7-6 overtime win. Federici scored the game winner to defeat Section One. After a dominating 9-2 win Saturday evening, Section Two secured the title with a 4-3 win over Section Four on Sunday morning. Zilisch scored the last three goals for Section Two in the win.

Section One finished in second place with a 2-1 record. Ellie Brice (Western Wisconsin) had a big weekend with 3 goals and 4 assists. Other top scorers included Dayna Jones (Beaver Dam) 1 goal, 4 assists; Shannon Dwyer (Arrowhead) 2 goals, 3 assists; Maddux Federici (CW Storm) 1 goal, 3 assists and Anika Einbeck (Rock County) with 4 goals. Oliva Cronin (Rock County) turned in the best GAA at 2.66 and the best save percentage at 90.9%. Oliva Dumond (St. Croix Valley) was next with a 3.17 GAA and 87.3%.

It was an entertaining weekend with four out of the tournaments six games determined by one goal. Twenty-six different teams were represented on the four section teams. Central Wisconsin led the way with five players attending while Arrowhead, ECA, Hayward, Rock County and WV Union had four each. Coaches for the weekend included Tony Menard and Ryan Culp (CFM), Mark Thorn (Onalaska), Duane Woeshnick (Warbrids) and Dan Bauer (WV Union).

The WGHCA would like to thank Bob Normand and the Chippewa Falls Hockey Association for hosting the event. Also a special thanks to the weekend’s officials, Dave Bestul, Sean Albrecht, Jay Dupree and Grady Richartz and Zamboni driver Brad Martin. Several college coaches were in attendance over the weekend along with Wisconsin Selects General Manager Mike Cowan.