The NCC women’s soccer team is currently on a four-game win streak, defeating Kalamazoo College, Transylvania University, Adrian College and conference rival, Elmhurst University. The last two games saw a combined 12-0 shutout, NCC winning 5-0 and 7-0 respectively. This recent stretch has catapulted them into the third overall spot in the Region VIII rankings, according to United Soccer Coaches (USC).
Soaring above
Quickly into the Adrian College Bulldogs game, Yazmin Martinez, ’26, scored, following an assist by Madelyn Camaioni, ’25. This was Martinez’s third goal this season. Two minutes later, Sarah Andrey, ’24, set up Elle Sutter, ’24. The Cardinals were up 2-0.
The Bulldogs had a chance to retaliate before the half ended, and Kaitlyn Date fired off an attempt. Goalkeeper Jordan Boyd, ’24, saved that shot.
With soccer, you never know what is going to happen,” said Sutter. “And going into the second half we were only up 2-0, which is considered the worst lead to have in soccer. But I think once we hit the third goal a few minutes into the second half you could tell the other team’s confidence was pretty shaken, and we had control of the game after that.”
After the break, Gabriella Galvez, ’25, scored within 60 seconds due to an assist by Kassandra Salviola, ’26. Following that, Andrey scored again, this time with an assist from Kaitlyn Cannon, ’24. This made the score 4-0 within the first four minutes of the half.
Boyd saved a goal by hitting it to deflect off the goalpost. Afterwards, an Adrian College player went down on the pitch and officials helped escort the individual off. NCC regained control on offense again when Holly Helmers, ’26, and Brooke Nelson, ’26, set up Sutter’s second and final goal. This goal put the nail in the coffin. NCC won with a score of 5-0.
The Cardinals put up five goals with thirteen shots, while Boyd had two saves for the game.
Shut-out season
Elmhurst University was the next to fall, with a final score of 7-0. Scorers for that game included Sutter, Andrey, Martinez and Jordan Lange, ’27. North Central had 27 shots, with 19 on goal attempts.
“Even with a big freshmen class coming in though,” said Sutter, “We all still work together super well. I think part of that comes with the amount of time we spend together. We have taken a lot of long trips this year and done a lot of team bonding during preseason, which really helps us on the field.”
Adjustments from last season
According to Sutter, this is the largest Senior class she’s seen since her debut on the team. The chemistry among players in this lineup is strong—playing together for three years has fostered a sisterhood between players.
Last season, the team ended with four wins and four ties, respectively, in the CCIW. Sutter says that there were many games the team should have won. However, they ended up with draws in many of those games due to their focus on championships.
Championship aspirations
Head Coach Andrew Gamarra loves the tenacity the squad is playing with, and he thinks it’s a big reason why the team has soared up the power rankings.
“This year we’re focused on having a 1-0 mentality,” said Gamarra. “By that, we mean that each day, we wake up 0-0 and each night, we hope to go to bed 1-0. That helps us to focus on the game at hand and take care of business, one step at a time.”
The Cardinals’ next game is Saturday, Sept. 30 against Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.
