Michelle Lynn Lomnicki (née Wenino; born May 3, 1987) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a defender.

Michelle Lomnicki
Wenino with the Chicago Red Stars in 2013
Personal information
Full name Michelle Lynn Lomnicki
Birth name Michelle Lynn Wenino[1]
Date of birth (1987-05-03) May 3, 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Aurora, Colorado, United States
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Defender
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Colorado Buffaloes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Chicago Red Stars 1 (0)
2010 SC Freiburg 8 (1)
2010 Pali Blues 5 (0)
2011–2012 Sky Blue FC 3 (1)
2013–2015 Chicago Red Stars 40 (3)
Total 57 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

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Born in Aurora, Colorado, to parents Pat and Sherri Wenino, Michelle attended Smoky Hill High School and played all four seasons for the girls soccer team. A four-sport, and 15-time letterwinner, she received the school's Athlete of the Year with Honors award in 2005. Wenino was a Tulsa All-Tournament team member in 2004 and received the Fair Play Award in 2000 State Cup play. She was first-team Centennial league as a senior and second-team as a junior and was named MVP for Smoky Hill as a senior. In 2003, the team were the 2003 Centennial League Champions. Wenino also ran track (200-800m distances) and cross country as a member of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 5A state championship teams that finished second at nationals in 2004 in Portland, Oregon. She was also a point guard on the school's basketball team that won the 2002 Centennial League Championship.[1]

Club career

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Chicago Red Stars (WPS), 2009

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In 2009, Wenino played for Chicago Red Stars in the WPS during its inaugural season. She made one appearance during a game against Saint Louis Athletica at Toyota Park for a total of 34 minutes played.[2][3]

SC Freiburg, 2010

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In 2010, Wenino played for SC Freiburg.[4] She played seven games with five starts for a total of 476 minutes, scoring one goal.[3]

Sky Blue FC, 2011

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In January 2011, Wenino signed with Sky Blue FC.[5][6] She made three appearances and scored one goal.[3]

Chicago Red Stars (NWSL), 2013–2015

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In February 2013, Wenino joined Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League.[7] Wenino started 17 games and appeared in 18 games in the 22-game season, usually playing defender on the right wing. She scored one goal and had one assist.[8]

She announced her retirement on March 1, 2016.[9]

Post playing

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Lomnicki returned to the Chicago Red Stars in 2020 as the Director of Camps and Clinics. [10] In January 2022 she was named associate general manager of the Red Stars, and in January 2023 the Red Stars promoted her to general manager. [11]

On May 5, 2023, the Red Stars announced that the team had fired Lomnicki on May 4 due to a "lapse in judgment to not share important information with club leadership".[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Michelle Wenino biography". Colorado University. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  2. ^ "Soccer Star Michelle Wenino: Red Star Lone Ranger". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Michelle Wenino". Soccer Way. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  4. ^ "Wechselübersicht zur Winterpause". FanSoccer Das Frauenfußball-Magazin. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  5. ^ "Sky Blue FC adds Carrie Drew, Kristi Eveland, and Michelle Wenino to its roster". Capital Sports Report. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  6. ^ "Defensive Trio Added to Sky Blue FC Roster". Our Sports Central. January 11, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  7. ^ "Red Stars Add Fowlkes, Mautz, and Wenino". Chicago Red Stars. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  8. ^ "2014 Player Statistics - National Women's Soccer League". Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2013., accessed December 28, 2013
  9. ^ "Red Stars Veteran Michelle Lomnicki Announces Retirement - Chicago Red Stars". chicagoredstars.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  10. ^ "Chicago Red Stars Appoint Michelle Lomnicki as Associate General Manager". Chicago Red Stars. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Chicago Red Stars Promote Michelle Lomnicki To General Manager". Chicago Red Stars. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Chicago Red Stars [@chicagoredstars] (May 5, 2023). "A statement from the Chicago Red Stars Board of Managers" (Tweet). Retrieved May 5, 2023 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Linehan, Meg (May 5, 2023). "Chicago Red Stars fire GM after linked youth club employed suspended NWSL coach". The Athletic. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
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