JANESVILLE — The Rock County Fury have fewer numbers on their roster than in past years, and recently graduated three of its all-time top scorers. 

“We lost a couple of key players last year, including Alyssa Knauf and Anika Einbeck, who have been our leading scorers up front,” said Luke Steurer, the co-op’s coach. 

The Fury also played last season at club level due to unknowns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, they are back in the WIAA, and the team is determined to make a mark of their own.

Back are seniors Sara Loerke (Beloit Memorial), Olivia Combs (Janesville Parker), Sara Edler (Lena-Winslow), Anna Malone (Orangeville) and top-flight goalie Olivia Cronin (BM). 

“These girls will be a big key for us this season to help provide depth and leadership,” Steurer said. “We look for Cronin to continue her great success between the pipes to help backstop our team. She has stood on her head game after game for us and this year won’t be any different. She is a competitor and a leader for our team.”

Also back is junior forward Amery Stuckey, who is this year’s captain. “Amery brings a great attitude and hard work ethic,” Steurer said. 

Emma Kilgora is a hard worker and skilled player and proved in club play she is an offensive threat both facilitating and scoring. She scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the season opener Nov. 18.

Sophomore defender Hannah Chady brings attitude and hard work, and will be joined on the back line by Monroe’s Marlies Brandli. In total, there are 16 players from seven schools in the co-op.

“We are a younger team with most having last year being their first year of high school hockey level. Playing a limited schedule and teams, we will need to get all the players up to speed with our systems. I am confident they won’t take much time making this happen. We have a good group of players ready to go,” Steurer said.

He said he wants his players to focus on taking it one game at a time, which will help prepare them for the “marathon” that is the playoffs. He thinks Metro Lynx, Cap City and Viroqua will battle his squad for Badger Conference supremacy — much the same as the past 3-4 seasons.

“I expect us to compete well through the season. We are back in our old sectional with all of the teams in our conference and we all have been competitive with each other,” Steurer said.