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NWSL Chicago Stars FC

Red Stars Veteran Michelle Lomnicki Announces Retirement

March 1, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


Chicago, Ill. - Chicago Red Stars defender Michelle Lomnicki today announced her retirement from professional soccer, effective immediately. The 28-year-old ends her active career as a fan favorite and as the club's longest-tenured player, having first laced up for Chicago seven years ago. In the final season of her career, she helped the Red Stars to their first ever postseason appearance as a professional franchise.

"Today I say thank you to the game that has given me so much," Lomnicki offered in a statement. "I'm extremely blessed to have been given the opportunity to travel the world while playing soccer."

The Aurora, Colorado, native originally joined the Red Stars in 2009 during the days of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) and then again for the 2012 Women's Premier Soccer League Elite (WPSL-E) campaign, following 2011 stints with Germany's SC Freiburg and another WPS outfit, Sky Blue FC. In her first year back with Chicago, Lomnicki helped the side to an appearance in the WPSL-E championship match.

Chicago Head Coach Rory Dames, under whom Lomnicki played for four consecutive seasons, was full of praise for the model athlete.

"We're very sad to see our longest-serving player go," he said. "She was great to work with and an exceptional teammate. I wish her and (husband) Wes all the best in the next chapter of their lives."

Following the 2012 campaign, Lomnicki continued with the Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and would remain a key member of the club through 2015, wearing the captain's armband on several occasions. In total, she made 48 appearances and tallied three goals and two assists as a defender.

Formerly known by her maiden name Wenino, Lomnicki played her college ball for the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she was honored as the 2008 Big 12 Conference Defensive Co-Player of the Year and as a two-time First-Team All-Conference selection.

"Michelle has dedicated years to the growth of the Red Stars and to women's professional soccer as a whole," offered Chicago General Manager Alyse LaHue. "She worked tirelessly on and off the field to help bring us to where we are today. It's difficult to imagine a season without her and we'll certainly miss her beaming face. I'm grateful for everything she has done for the club."

The entire Chicago Red Stars organization would like to express its gratitude to Michelle Lomnicki for her years of service and wishes her all the the best for the future.

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