IWFL Welcomes Wisconsin Warriors
by IWFL
October 5, 2007
Austin TX -The Independent Women's Football League is proud to announce that Jodi vonSpreckelsen, representing the Wisconsin Warriors, has been awarded a full membership license and will join the league’s roster of teams for the 2008 season. The Wisconsin Warriors are a new team organized to provide women in Southeastern Wisconsin the opportunity to play tackle football at the national level.

“The Warriors will be a tremendous addition to the Midwest division. This team boasts a large number of veteran athletes. They may be a newly organized team, but with all that talent no one is going to take them lightly. It’s going to be a great year in the Midwest,” stated Kezia Disney, IWFL Chief Operating Officer.

The Warriors inaugural season will feature exciting match ups against the Iowa Crush, Kansas City Tribe and Midwest division powerhouse Chicago Force.

“We are very excited to keep women’s football going in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Warriors look forward to creating a great rivalry with Chicago and the other Midwest teams. We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to play in the IWFL,” Stated Jodi vonSpreckelsen, Wisconsin Warriors team Delegate.

LESSONS LEARNED
The Wisconsin Warriors of the Independent Women’s Football League, (IWFL) kicked off their second season of existence with a less than Warrior like performance against the 5 time champion Detroit Demolition. The young and in many ways inexperienced Tier II Warriors not only opened against a Tier I team, but also for the first year players, their first game experience was on the “road”. The lessons learned and game experience earned will be the focus of the Warriors as they prepare for their second consecutive road game against another perennial powerhouse the Chicago Force. Despite the score, then Warriors started to see the seeds of a talented Offense and an opportunistic Defense. The “Team” is starting to come together.

LESSONS APPLIED
The second consecutive road game for the Warriors against a Tier I championship caliber team found the Warriors on the short end of the score once again as the faced the Chicago Force. The Force’s roster depth and health played a key role in the win. In the first two weeks of the season, the Warriors have faced the two teams who played for the Tier I championships in previous seasons. The Warriors loss was especially painful in that 2 way performer Erica Christian was lost for the season early in the game due to a knee injury. A roster of 21 reduced by just one to 20 puts a severe test and strain on the “Iron women of football”. Though outnumbered and on the road, the game became a statement for the “Little Engine that could”. Don’t overlook the Warriors.

HOME SWEET HOME
There is no place like home. After 2 tough road trips in a row, the Warriors found the friendly confines of Ameche Field and their great fans was just the recipe for success as they served up the Iowa Crush in the home opener. Rain delays, a running clock, and slick field conditions could not stop the Warriors from posting a very impressive 30-0 shut out of the Crush. The “Little Engine that could”, did, and the rallying cry of, “WHOSE HOUSE-OUR HOUSE” was born.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN TO VICTORY
The Warriors faced the always competitive and dangerous Minnesota Vixen in their trek to Chaska Minnesota. The Vixen were very gracious hosts as the Warriors earned their first road victory of the season. The competitive spirit and confidence of the Warriors is growing and the team chemistry is gelling. Each player is stepping up and filling a spot wherever needed. Each and every person is proving to be a “star’ and MVP in some capacity. The car pooling and overnights are paying off.

ENOUGH SAID
The Warriors fourth road trip in their first 5 games resulted in an embarrassing loss to the league leading Tier I Kansas City Tribe. A combination of Bus lag, illness, injuries and Tribe talent combined for a VERY Un-Warrior like performance. A long bus ride home gave the team plenty of time to think and come to the conclusion that, “This won’t happen again”.

MAKING GOOD ON THEIR PROMISE
After two road games in a row and a bye week to prepare for the return of the Iowa Crush, the Warriors found the friendly feel and fan support of Ameche Field well to their liking. The Warriors were able to fulfill the promise made to themselves after the K.C. game to play better. They were able to take care of business by dispatching the Crush 42-0. The visiting Iowans were a game group but ran into a buzz saw of frustration and a desire for redemption from the Warriors. The Warriors are starting to show their opponents a new meaning to the term, ”House of Pain”, as they continue to be undefeated and unscored upon at home, much to the fans liking!!

WELCOME TO OUR NIGHTMARE
Alice Cooper may have written the song but the Warriors are writing the script for home field advantage and defending their “turf” as they sent the Minnesota Vixen home in defeat. The game did not start until 9:30 pm due to a high school regional soccer tournament, but the delay only seemed to wet the Warrior’s appetite for Vixen. The Warriors played as complete a game Offensively, Defensively, and from a Special Teams standpoint, as they have all year against a respected and dangerous foe. Late Night with the Warriors was worth the wait!

VICTORY IN DEFEAT????
The Wisconsin Warriors play to win and are not satisfied with anything less. However, if a moral victory exists, then the Warriors gained it against the Tier I power Kansas City Tribe. The Warriors roster, still at 20 players, battled the larger and multi-talented squad of the Tribe for the entire game. The Warriors held a slim 14-12 lead into the fourth quarter when a turnover gave the Tribe great field position for the go ahead touchdown. Confidence and “TEAM” grows even in defeat. Despite the loss, and due to difficulty of The Warriors schedule, the Warriors qualified for the IWFL playoffs and they are the number one seeded Tier II team and have home field advantage.

WISCONSIN WARRIORS QUALIFY FOR IWFL PLAYOFFS.
The Wisconsin Warriors have qualified for the IWFL playoffs and will host the Chattanooga Locomotion at Ameche Field June 27th with game time set for 7:30 pm. The second year Warriors made it to the Tier II playoffs by being ranked Number One in the Tier II division due to the strength of their schedule against Tier I teams. The winner advances to Round Two of the playoffs on July 11th. If the Warriors win, they will also host the second round game. The winner of round two advances to the North American Championship game in Austin, Texas on July 25th. Good Luck Warriors.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Warriors have qualified for and will host the IWFL Regional Championship at Ameche Field on July 11th. The Warriors defeated the Chattanooga Locomotion 32-6 and await the Carolina Phoenix.

WARRIORS ADVANCE TO CHAMPIONSHIP
The Wisconsin Warriors closed out their IWFL Regional Championship game with a convincing 28-6 victory over the Carolina Phoenix. The Warriors are headed for Austin, Texas and the Tier II championship game against the defending champion Montreal Blitz. The little engine is still chugging along and has not reached the end of its journey yet. The Warriors would like to thank all those who supported and followed the Warriors through wins, losses, rain delays and schedule changes.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES???
Neither do the Warriors, but they do believe in each other and the “little engine that could” has climbed to the top of the mountain in Women’s Tackle football by winning the Tier II North American Championship. The Warriors defeated the defending champion Montreal Blitz in the heat of Austin, Texas. 127 degree heat did not deter the Warriors from playing “14 minutes” of great football. The 2009 IWFL Tier II Trophy is in Wisconsin and the team expects to keep it here!

Warriors All Star Coach
Head Coach Norm Killion was voted in to the 2009 IWFL Western Conference
All Star Team! Congratulations! Way to go Coach K!

Warriors All Stars
Four Warriors were welcomed the 2009 IWFL Western Conference All Star Team! Congratulations to Leslie Gittings (41), Sheri Dieck (24), Brenda VanCuick (8)
and Jessa Plumley (28). Way to go ladies!

Warriors Speak at Burlington High School
Three members of the Wisconsin Warrior Women's Football team will be speaking to the Burlington High School Social Justice class on February 24th on Women’s Struggle for Equality touching on the topic of sports. Head coach Norm Killion, General Manager Laurie Lambrecht and player Brigid Mullen will speak and answer questions from the class. The students will be recognized at the Warriors June 6th game against the Kansas City Tribe.

The Warriors join the battle against breast cancer!!
The Warriors assisted at the Racquet for the Cure on Saturday October 4th. This event was held at the West Allis WAC on Hwy 100. The battle began at 8am and lasted all day long. A Warriors Fan Pack was sold at the silent auction with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Milwaukee Chapter.

A Battle at the Border

In September, I had the honor of being invited to a Lake Villa Timberwolves Pee Wee football game. I was joined by some rival Chicago Force players along their team delegate, Kim Duffey, as well. Now why, you might ask, is this something to be discussed here on our web site? I’ll tell you. As a female footballer, who never played football as a child or young adult for that matter, I was compelled to go and see Miss Shaina Lesniewicz, #70 of the
T-Wolves, do just that. She is an amazing 2nd year football player and merely 8 years old on game day. A true offensive lineman, Shaina stuffed the defense with her stellar blocking and made it possible for the ball carriers to get a great run up the field. The game that day was a complete blowout, with the T-Wolves shutting out the McHenry Warriors. When asked, Shaina states she would like to be a professional football player someday, noting the New England Patriots and QB Tom Brady as her personal favorites. Shaina is inspired by her father and 2 older brothers. This self described funny and cool girl enjoys playing video games and skateboarding when not playing football. Want to find Shaina? You will probably see her at a few 2009 Warriors and Force games. If you see her, be sure to smack her hand and let her know how cool it is that she too, plays tackle football. The Warriors would also like to wish Shaina a happy 9th birthday as well, as she celebrated another year on 11/26.

Warriors All Stars
Four Warriors were nominated as alternates for the 2008 IWFL All Star Team! Congratulations to Abigail Coons (20), Sheri Dieck (24), Brenda VanCuick (8) and Heather Fortin (85). Way to go ladies!

A Warrior way to start the Season!
The Warriors traveled to West Des Moines Iowa on April 12th to take on the Iowa Crush. After a scoreless first quarter, the Warriors put 22 points on the scoreboard in the second quarter, with the half ending at 22-7. The Warriors came back in the third quarter and scored again and that would be the final score 30-7. Scoring for the Warriors, Sheri Dieck (3 TDs), Abigail Coons (TD). Brenda VanCuick ran in twice and Abigail Coons had a reception for Two Point Conversions!

Wisconsin Warriors on 97.3FM The Brew
Jen Lada of Fox 6 Sports was back at it again. Check out Jen on 97.3FM The Brew,
talking about her experiences playing with the Warriors.
Warriors Radio Spot

Wisconsin Warriors on Fox 6 Sports
The Wisconsin Warriors have partnered up with Jen Lada of Fox 6 Sports. Check out our first news spot. The Warriors look forward to working closely with Jen Lada and Fox 6 through their inaugural season.
Warriors News Spot

Wisconsin Warriors And Milwaukee Bonecrushers!
The Milwaukee Bonecrushers have invited the Wisconsin Warriors to their Family Scrimmage Night, Sunday February 17 at 4:00pm at the US Cellular Arena. Come meet both teams at this awesome event! This is the beginning of a great future between the two teams!

Wisconsin Warriors Help Honor Women in Sports!
In December, the Women's Resource Center at UW-Milwaukee learned all about the Wisconsin Warriors women's full contact football team. This semester they are holding an event in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which will include the Wisconsin Warriors on Monday, February 11, 2008 at The Women's Resource Center at UWM.

Warriors on WIIL Rock!!
The Warriors talked a little football with Tom & Lisa on 95.1 WIIL Rock Friday October 10th. Afterwards, Susie Aasterud and Abigail Coons suited up to take on DJ Haro and Tom Kief. Check out the video and see if Haro can take a Warrior sized hit or not!
Warriors vs WIIL Rock