Five Eagles get all-WVC all-conference recognition

The Northland Pines girls’ hockey Co-op celebrated five of its members making the all-conference teams in the Wisconsin Valley Conference this season.

Athletes who represented the Eagles included sophomore Lucy Nowak, freshman Ayla Shepherdson, junior Lilly Beitler, freshman Mya Renkes and Laine Jelinski.

The Eagles, who have been a Co-op squad since 2020-21, featured players from Northland Pines along with Lakeland, Rhinelander, Antigo, Three Lakes and Norway, Michigan.

Coach Jeff Stebbeds was responsible for fitting these players together as a team.

After an up-and-down year, they posted two big postseason upsets and earned a trip to the sectional championship game.

Nowak was one of two Northland Pines players to make her appearance on the all-WVC second team.

“I was really happy because it’s never happened before,” said Nowak. “It was fun because we became one big group of friends.”

Earlier this season, Nowak was cited for making her 1,000th career save. She also made 654 saves in conference play this season.

Shepherdson also made the second team. She led the Eagles with 22 points on ten goals and twelve assists.

“I didn’t expect to make All-Conference, so I was really excited,” she said. “We are losing some seniors, but I think we will all grow and will be amazing together.”

Beitler made Honorable Mention as a defensive player this past season.
I’m very happy because we really came together like a family and everyone was more positive with each other,” she stated. “It will give us more confidence next year.”

Renkes was also an Honorable Mention selection as a forward. Mya had eight goals and eight assists for 16 points this season.

“I thought it was cool because we have a great conference and I’m happy to get it as a freshman,” she said. “Coach Stebbeds was telling us all season that he believes in us, and we started believing too.”

Filling out the Northland Pines contingent on the Wisconsin Valley All-Conference girls hockey team was Jelinski from Lakeland High School on defense.

Jelinski also provided some scoring punch with three goals and three assists for six points.

The Northland Pines girls’ hockey team finished the 2025 – 2026 season with a record of 8-14-2. Optimism is high that the Eagles could be much improved next season.