- Source: Grace Wisnewski
Grace Cecilia Wisnewski (born 28 June 2002) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Lexington SC of the USL Super League and the New Zealand national team.
Club career
In October 2021, Wisnewski joined Wellington Phoenix in A-League Women from Hamilton Wanderers. Growing up a club fan, she joined their first women's team. She played every minute of all of the eleven games she played in the team's first season; she cut her season short to return to New Zealand when it lifted COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. She had struggled with her mental health and was contemplating quitting football. The break she took helped her be more excited about football, and six months later, she signed a new deal with the Phoenix in September 2022. She got a calf injury shortly afterward, keeping her from playing for some time. Back by April 2023, Wisnewski scored the latest-minute goal in regulation time in A-League history with what A-League statistician Andrew Howe called an "acrobatic equalizer" in the 99th minute of a match against defending league champions Melbourne Victory, providing a 2–2 draw for the last-placed Phoenix.
In June 2024, Wisnewski announced she was departing Wellington Phoenix to explore other opportunities. On June 17th, Wisnewski was announced as the first ever USL Super League signing for Lexington SC for the league's inaugural 2024-25 season.
International career
Wisnewski scored three goals as part of the New Zealand U-17 side that won the bronze medal at the 2018 Women's World Cup. At the under-19 level, she won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament at the 2019 OFC U-19 Women's Championship that New Zealand won. She was a member of the New Zealand U-20 side and took part with them in the 2022 World Cup.
Wisnewski made her senior début for the Football Ferns as a substitute in a 0–4 loss to the United States on 18 January 2023. A few days later, she came on again in the second half when they met again.
On 30 June 2023, Ava Collins, Meikayla Moore, and Kate Taylor were named as reserve players for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The following week, however, Moore declined to join the squad as a reserve player and Wisnewski was called up as a reserve player instead of her.
Family and personal life
Grace has three brothers Logan, Kyle and Blake. Logan and Kyle play professional futsal, with Logan playing for the New Zealand national futsal team.
References
External links
Grace Wisnewski at Soccerway