Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Special contribution to WSN by UW-Stevens Point communications student Rebecca Vosters

Each of the last two seasons ended the same cruel way for the Onalaska co-op girls hockey team: The Hilltoppers watched their opponent skate off with the WIAA state championship.

"Hopefully the third time is a charm," said Theresa Knutson, the Hilltoppers' standout senior forward.

After back-to-back title game losses -- a 5-2 setback against the Hayward co-op last season, and a 6-2 defeat to the D.C. Everest co-op in 2012 -- Onalaska indeed hopes that this is the season it will be able to come away with that elusive gold trophy. 

The Hilltoppers, who are ranked No. 2 in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey preseason poll, open their season at Marshfield on Nov. 26. And they will take to the ice with a new coach behind the bench. 

Tim Franzini takes over after coaching the La Crosse Aquinas co-op boys hockey team for six seasons. And Franzini doesn't think coaching a different gender will affect the way he goes about things.

"They're not boys or girls. They're hockey players," Franzini said.

Franzini said a daunting schedule that includes a rematch with Hayward will make for "the most difficult season the team has ever had."

"We will be up against a lot of successful teams," said Franzini, whose team will also participate in the prestigious 64-team Blaine Super Rink Schwan Cup in Minnesota in late December. 

While Franzini admits he has a young team, he also has some key returners at his disposal -- none more important than Knutson, who led the state in goals (77) and points (98) last season en route to earning All-State honors.

Junior forward Jacyn Reeves (33 goals, 19 assists last season) is also back, as is senior forward Jamie Weilandt (24 goals, 23 assists). Junior defenseman Kianna Kalmes and senior forward Lucy Anderholm also return.

That group makes for a strong core, but Reeves believes "everyone on our team is going to be tough." 

Reeves said she has confidence that with hard work this will be the Hilltoppers' year. So does Franzini.

"We may not have the best win-loss (record) and we're an incredibly young team," Franzini said, "But I like our chances."