Central Wisconsin wins 10th straight sectional title

WESTON - The senior members of the Central Wisconsin Storm know what it takes to get to the WIAA state girls hockey tournament.

They hope this is the year they get to play in the tournament beyond the first day.

Kenna Bailey had two goals and 11 different players had at least a point for Central Wisconsin as the Storm beat the Fox Cities Stars 7-1 Thursday at Greenheck Field House to earn their 10th straight sectional championship.

It sparked a celebration that never gets old for the players or coaches.

“We have some returning (players) but it’s always good for the new kids and every year is a new experience,” Storm coach Pete Susens said. “It’s a different team and we’re growing as a group.”

The Storm will play a state semifinal March 3 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Madison. Central Wisconsin faces the winner of Saturday’s matchup between Beloit Memorial Co-op and the Sun Prairie Co-op programs.

Central Wisconsin (20-4-1) havs been eliminated in the state semifinals in each of the past four years.

“It leaves a sour taste in our mouth and makes us want to work that much harder,” said defenseman Taylor Treu, one of seven seniors on the Storm roster. “This is our final ride. We know we have to get it done now. There’s no going back.”

Junior Emelia Edmondson scored 10 seconds into regulation and the Storm took control of the game with a three-goal first period.

“(The goal) gave us momentum and we just kept going,” senior defenseman Jamie Herickson said.

The Storm didn’t have a letdown in the second period as seniors Maggie Plaza and Katelyn Ramthun added goals just over five minutes apart to build a five-goal cushion.

Bailey scored her second goal of the game two minutes into the third period to give the Storm a 6-0 lead.

“Coach (Susens) has always told us that, ‘No matter what, we have to play our game and go as hard as we can.’ We just want to always set the pace and that’s what we did,” said Plaza, who assisted on Ramthun’s goal.

Chloe Westberg stopped 14 shots and lost her bid for a third straight postseason shutout with 9:36 left in regulation as Victoria Nelson beat her with a shot from the left faceoff circle. Fox Cites freshman goalie Annaliese Mauel had 17 saves.

“I thought we did a good job defensively throughout the game,” Susens said. “We kind of limited their chances early and I think that was a key that allowed us to relax a little bit offensively.

“We’re pleased with the way we have played defensively and it’s a credit to our senior captains,” Susens said. “Jamie (Henrickson) and Taylor (Treu) have done a good job all year and Chloe has been steady. As a team we have grown defensively overall.”

Tim Johnson: 715-845-0731, or timothy.johnson@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @timmyjo11

First period: 1. CWS, Emelia Edmondson (Sami Brown, Katelyn Ramthun), :10. 2. CWS, Kassidy Oliva (Emma Kysely), 9:47. 3. CWS, Kenna Bailey, 12:48

Second period: 4. CWS, Maggie Plaza (Eden Gruber), 4:36. 5. CWS, Ramthun (Plaza, Edmondson), 9:49 (pp)

Third period: 6. CWS, Bailey (Treu), 1:58. 7. FCS, Victoria Nelson, 7:14. 8. CWS, Trinity Foster (Sarah Crocker, Angie Stroik), 11:27

Saves: FC, Annaliese Mauel 6-4-7-17; Chloe Westberg 2-8-4-14

Records: Central Wisconsin Storm 20-4-1, Fox Cities Stars 15-10-2