WS Kicks Off Post-Season Friday

Will Play Lincoln Trail in Godfrey

10/16/2023 4:58:00 PM

Post-season for the Illinois Central College women's soccer team will look a little different this year. But the goal will still be the same---survive and advance---and earn a bid to the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in school history.

The Cougars, who currently have a 10-4-2 overall record (prior to Wednesday's last regular season game vs. Indian Hills at CougarPlex Field) and the #2 seed in Region 24, will face off against #4 seed (in Region 24) Lincoln Trail on Friday, October 20 at 12:00 pm at Lewis & Clark in Godfrey, IL.

If ICC wins their first-round game, they will play #1 seed (in Region 11) Iowa Western on Sunday, October 22 at 12:00 pm, also in Godfrey.

Changes have occurred in the tournament format as now there isn't an actual Region 24 tourney for ICC, Lewis & Clark, Wabash Valley, and Lincoln Trail as in the past. Instead, the Region 24 and Region 11 teams (Iowa Western & Indian Hills) have been seeded accordingly within their own regions and will compete in the Central District Post-Season Tournament.

The Central District Tourney winner will then face off against the Region 7 Champion (Motlow State, Columbia State, Southwest Tennessee, Dyersburg State, & Pellissippi State) on Saturday, November 4 in Godfrey. That winner will advance to Nationals on November 12-18 in Wichita, KS.

The Cougars have persevered throughout the season despite injuries to several key players but have had a successful season thus far. Isabella Guerra leads the team with 10 goals while Jenna Kinney and Valeria Duque have each scored six.

Luiza Junior dos Santos is the team leader with 9 assists and the defense has been anchored by the Albas---Alba Vigo who has 17 saves and Alba Lopez with 13 saves on the season.

"This has been a somewhat challenging season dealing with a lot of injuries but we're ready to play like we're capable," coach Javi Valle said. A lot of players were able to get good experience so we feel like we can use that to our advantage. Our district is very competitive but we know we can play with anyone so we'll have a confident mindset going in and leave it all on the field."

ICC defeated Lincoln Trail in both previous meetings, a 2-0 win on August 27 in Robinson and a 5-0 victory on October 8 in East Peoria.

Women's Soccer Central District Tournament Schedule --- all games at Tim Rooney Stadium on Lewis & Clark CC campus, Godfrey, IL
(Alternate location in case of rain/weather issues: Glazebrook Park Turf Fields (1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey, IL 62035)
Friday, October 20
Game 1: Indian Hills vs. Wabash Valley @ 2:30pm
Game 2: Illinois Central vs. Lincoln Trail @ 12:00pm

Sunday October 22
Game 3: Iowa Western vs. Winner Game 2 @ 12:00pm
Game 4: Lewis & Clark vs. Winner Game 1 @ 2:30pm

Saturday, October 28
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 @ 2:30pm

Saturday, November 4
Game 6: Winner Game 5 vs. Region 7 Champion @ 1:00pm - winner advances to NJCAA DI National Tournament on Nov. 12-18 in Wichita, KS

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