CHICAGO — Five members of the Chicago Red Stars Reserves, presented by Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) and Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL), received top honors by being named to the Women’s Premiere Soccer League’s Central Region All-Conference Team.
The Chicago Red Stars Reserves have the most players represented on the Lake Michigan All-Conference team with forwards Megan Nemec (Loyola University-Chicago) and Nicki Hernandez (University of Michigan), defender Autumn Weeks (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) and goalkeepers Hensley Hancuff (Clemson University) and Jordyn Bloomer (University of Wisconsin).
“We are so proud of Megan, Nicki, Autumn, Hensley and Jordyn for being named to the All-Conference team,” said Julianne Sitch, head coach of the Chicago Red Stars. “We had a great season, our whole team worked hard this summer and it is nice to see so many of our players get recognized.”
This was Sitch’s first year coaching the Chicago Red Stars Reserves, who finished first place in the WPSL Lake Michigan Conference with seven wins, one loss and two draws for a total of 23 points for the 2021 season. Sitch also serves as an Assistant Coach for the Chicago Red Stars and is a former player for the team, as well.
The Chicago Red Stars Reserves presented by Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) and Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL) has provided a pathway to the professional ranks for many players including current Red Stars Sarah Gorden, Zoey Goralski and Chicago’s second-round selection in the 2020 NWSL College draft, Camryn Biegalski.
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About the Chicago Red Stars
Established in 2007, the Red Stars were a founding member of the former Women’s Professional Soccer and would later become one of the original eight teams to form the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. The Red Stars have made the playoffs in six consecutive years from 2015-2020, clinching the team’s first appearance in the NWSL Championship in the 2019 season as well as appearing in the NWSL’s Challenge Cup Final in 2020.