6th year at ICC
Alma maters: Illinois Central College, Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, & Briar Cliff University
The Illinois Central College women’s soccer team has reached new heights under the leadership of ICC alum Javier Valle, who begins his 6th season at the helm.
Last season saw the Cougars finish with a 6-6-1 record where they fell to powerhouse Iowa Western in the Central District semi-finals.
In 2023, Valle's team went 11-6-2 despite being plagued with injuries and bowed out in a valiant effort in the Central District Tourney, falling to two-time National Champs Iowa Western 3-0.
In 2022, Valle led the Cougars to their best season in school history as they won their first-ever Region 24 championship by taking down Wabash Valley 5-1 and reached the District Finals, both program firsts. The team also earned national recognition for the first time ever, climbing as high as #14 in the NJCAA poll, thanks to a 16-game winning streak.
Valle is a two-time Region 24 Coach of the Year (2021 & 2022) and mentored Paula Gallardo to Region 24 Player of the Year honors, as well as repeat NJCAA 2nd Team All-American accolades.
Valle has a 45-21-4 career coaching record during his time in East Peoria.
Javier played two successful years at ICC in 2013-2015 and continued his college career at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, Mexican, third division (2015-2016) in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and two years at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA (2017-2019).
Valle has a variety of coaching experience as he started coaching youth soccer in 2013 at the Morton Blaze Soccer Club (2013-2015) in nearby Morton, IL. He continued with coaching at the MLS club, FC Dallas’s official affiliate, FC Dallas-El Paso in El Paso, TX from 2015-2017 where he helped develop players to prepare them for the professional academy in Frisco, Texas. Valle also coached at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City, IA (2017-2019) serving as the head junior varsity boys coach and assistant varsity coach. He currently holds both USSF E & F Licenses.
Updated: 8-10-25
