skip navigation

Team Wisconsin U14 girls look for first National title

By Breanna Seibel, Team WI assistant coach, 03/23/18, 5:15PM CDT

Share

TW U14s are optimistic about chances to have a record-breaking season

The Team Wisconsin U14 girls are preparing to head to the Tier I National Championship Tournament in Marlborough, MA. The girls are ranked 8th in the nation out of 59 Tier I U14 girl’s programs and currently have a record of 19-8-4. The TW 14s have played against six of the top seven ranked teams and have had wins against all but one team, the MN Green Giants. If there is a rematch versus the Green Giants at nationals, Team Wisconsin is feeling confident that they have what it takes to get the win.

This is the third time in the past four years that the TW U14s have participated in the National Tournament. In 2015, Team Wisconsin hosted the event in Green Bay. In 2016, Team Wisconsin won the WAHA Tier I state title and advanced to the national tournament with a win over the Chicago Mission at Central Districts. The team reached the quarter finals that year.

Team Wisconsin is comprised of the best girls in the state of Wisconsin. With eight of their players being first year U14’s, the team is young but has proven themselves consistently through the season. After being apart for approximately 4 1/2 months while playing for their hometown programs, the team quickly came together to defeat the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals 8-0 and keep a second period lead against the Capitols before eventually falling to them by one goal.

Although the girls lost a heartbreaker at state, due to their overall ranking and record, they were able to get one of four at-large invitations.

Coach Mike Cowan says that Team Wisconsin’s strength comes from skating four balanced lines and six steady defensemen.

“The team has speed and can score," said Cowan. "And we have two reliable goaltenders.” 

Cowan is optimistic and excited about the team's third appearance in the National Tournament.

Other teams attending the sixteen-team tournament are the MN Green Giants (MN), Assabet Valley (MA), Detroit Honeybaked (MI), Detroit Little Caesars (MI), Chicago Mission (IL), Chicago Young Americans (IL), Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (PA), Mid Fairfield Stars (CT), Syracuse Valley Eagles (NY), Madison Capitols (WI), Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (PA), Dallas Stars Elite (TX), Anaheim Lady Ducks (CA) and the Washington Pride (D.C.).

Team Wisconsin U14s are coached by Mike Cowan (head coach) and Breanna Seibel (assistant coach). The tournament takes place April 5- 9 and game updates can be found at https://nationals.usahockey.com/page/show/3821247-2018-girls-tier-i-tournaments and can be watched online at usahockey.hockeytv.com