Despite getting noticed and seeing more attention to the team, NCC Women’s Soccer team will focus on “staying humble”, said Head Coach Andrew Gamarra.
According to the 2021 CCIW Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Cardinals are predicted to finish in second place behind Wheaton. The Thunder received seven first-place votes and totaled 63 points. The Cardinals earned one first place by one opposing coach and racked up 53 total points.
Illinois Wesleyan finished third with one first-place vote, followed by Augustana, Carthage, Carroll, Millikin, North Park and Elmhurst in that order respectively.
“I think it’s been a long time coming but in terms of all the work we’ve been able to put together and do over the years, I think coaches have been noticing that too,” said Gamarra.
“It’s nice that we are respected … but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Looking ahead
2019 was the Cardinals’ first appearance back in the CCIW tournament. The last time was a semi-final loss in 2016 to the eventual champion Illinois Wesleyan Titans. Due to the pandemic last year the team was only able to play in five exhibition games ending with a record of 3-1-1; their only loss being to Carroll University.
Gamarra’s main goal is getting back into the conference tournament and earning a bid to make the national tournament.
This year’s captain, Sara Sheridan ’21, noted how proud she was of the team that had just finished “a long and hard preseason, so now [they]get to take a step back and get everyone together to start the season.”
The team has six returning seniors including the team’s leading goal scorer from the 2019 season, Aly Crum. Since COVID arose last March, 18 players on the roster have never played a full college season. Nine of those 18 are freshmen.
“I want to use my experience and knowledge to influence and help guide the team,” said Sheridan.
More than a game
The team joined Go4theGoal, a fundraiser that helps raise money for kids with pediatric cancer. The team announced that they would be partnering with Go4Goal after a scrimmage with Dominican University on August 25.
“We’ve been working with Go4theGoal since I got here … it’s just a great cause for our kids to think about,” said Gamarra. “Even though we love the sport, it’s still just a game…there are more important things in life.”
“We want our kids to give back and be good people for when they leave here so [Go4theGoal] is something we try to be involved in,” said Gamarra.
A new season begins
NCC opened up their 2021 regular season with a road trip to Kentucky which saw a loss to the 19th-ranked team in the nation, Centre College, on Saturday, Sep. 4. The next day’s match resulted in a 1-0 loss to Ohio Northern University. The first CCIW matchup this season will see the Cardinals face off against Elmhurst University at home, on Saturday, Sep. 25.
“I’m very excited and confident in our team this season, especially because the CCIW is noticing us. We all have competitive personalities that want not only ourselves, but our entire program to strive and thrive,” said Sheridan.
The entire season’s schedule for the team can be found on NCC’s athletics page.
