Marshfield’s Paige Johnson wins state defensive player of the year award, named first-team all-state for girls hockey

Marshfield's Paige Johnson was named the state's top defensive player and earned first-team all-state honors. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)

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MarshfieldAreaSports.com

MADISON – Marshfield junior Paige Johnson was named the Molly Engstrom Defensive Player of the Year as Wisconsin’s top high school girls hockey defender.

Johnson, who attends Spencer High School, was chosen from among 10 finalists for the award, presented by WisconsinPrepHockey.net. She was presented with the award at the WIAA State Girls Hockey Tournament last weekend in Madison.

Johnson also was chosen to the all-state first team. Teammate Nicole Karl (from Loyal High School) was an honorable mention all-state choice.

Marshfield freshman goalie Alexis Straughan was a finalist for the Jessie Vetter Award for the top goalie. Julie Brueggen of Viroqua won the award.

Theresa Knutson of Onalaska won the Jinelle Siergiej Award for top offensive player.

Denny Drake of state champion Central Wisconsin Storm was named the state’s coach of the year. Anna Westmark of Appleton United was named the winner of the Ms. Hockey Wisconsin for the state’s top overall player.

2011-12 Girls Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association All-State Team
First Team
Forwards:
Anna Westmark, sr., Appleton United; Hailey Rock, sr., St. Croix Valley; Theresa Knutson, so., Onalaska.
Defense: Paige Johnson, jr., Marshfield; Camille Herzog, jr., Eau Claire; Jayda Hoerres, sr., Onalaska.
Goalie: Kim Van Brunt, sr., Northland Pines.
Second Team
Forwards:
Kendall Nelson, sr., Tomahawk; Lauren Roethlisberger, sr., Bay Area; Emily Lester, sr., Eau Claire.
Defense: Katelin Polakoski, sr., Fond du Lac; Kelly Ahlgren, Hayward/Spooner.
Goalie: Jordyn Bunce, jr., Eau Claire.
Honorable Mention
Forwards:
Wendy Roberts, so., WSFLGUS; Kassie Lien, sr., WSFLGUS; Arianna Smith, so., Kettle Moraine; Macki Fadness, sr., Eau Claire; Kacey Iwen, sr., Tomahawk; Jamie Henderson, so., Sun Prairie; Katherine Nejedlo, sr., Fond du Lac; Baylee Darling, jr., Onalaska; Megan Bailey, sr., University School of Milwaukee; Makenna Thomas, fr., Hartland Arrowhead; Jamie Ertl, jr., Kettle Moraine; Sydney Squires, so., Hudson; Shanda Roeming, jr., Stoughton; Myranda Hayes, sr., Central Wisconsin; Jacyn Reeves, fr., Onalaska; Kylie Gazzolo, jr., Central Wisconsin; Nicole Hassig, sr., Point-Rapids; Haley Bayrrether, sr., Rock County; Shauna Bollinger, sr., Chippewa Falls; Hannah Juckett, sr., Badger; Kelly McGinnis, sr., Northland Pines; Nicole Karl, sr., Marshfield.
Defense: Holly Turnbull, fr., Hayward/Spooner; Alexis Peterson, fr., Sun Prairie; Katie Trucco, jr., Appleton; Emma Kohl, so., Appleton; Heather Shew, jr., St. Croix Valley; Nicole Nerva, fr., Tomahawk; Rachel Martell, sr., Hartland Arrowhead; Tori Klingler, sr., St. Croix Valley; Kristen South, Badger; Paige Sedlar, sr., Central Wisconsin; Lily Klapper, jr., Sun Prairie; Rachel Babiarz, sr., Central Wisconsin; Margot Peterson, sr., University School of Milwaukee; Annie Ulrikson, sr., Beaver Dam; Irene Hougard, fr., Kettle Moraine; Liz Martin, Fox Cities; Nicole Niemi, fr., Bay Area; Winter Nielsen, jr., Northland Pines.
Goalies: Sarah Block, jr., Bay Area; Allie Gloudemans, sr., Fox Cities; Kenzie Torpy, fr., Stoughton; Maddi Lockwood, sr., Beaver Dam.