The NCC women’s soccer team lost in a penalty shootout to the University of Chicago on November 11. The Cardinals traveled to Dubuque, Iowa to play their first postseason matchup in the NCAA against the Maroons. The score in regulation ended up a 1-1 deadlock. Ultimately, after the penalty shootout period, the Cardinals fell 5-4.
Historic soccer season
The Cardinals ended the season 18-2-1, which is a better record than UChicago ended with. They also finished conference play with a perfect 8-0 record. They scored a combined nine goals while only allowing two. The soccer squad made history, marking their first NCAA tournament appearance in program history. In the United Soccer Coaches poll, North Central ranked 23rd in the nation after their 10-2 start to the season. At the end of the season, they found their name missing from the final two polls, however.
Jordan Lange, ’27, clinched the prestigious CCIW’s first-year student-athlete of the year award and had a strong debut. Lange’s exceptional performance includes breaking the program’s freshman records for goals (14), assists (10) and points (38). Kassandra Salviola, ’26, meanwhile, was honored as the CCIW’s defensive student-athlete of the year. She played a pivotal role in anchoring the Cardinals’ defense.
Jordan Boyd, ’24, achieved a notable feat by breaking the program’s single-season shutout record with eight shutouts. She allowed only twelve goals this season and made thirty-seven saves. The Cardinals also attained a program-high eight All-CCIW selections this season. They even claimed the program’s first coach of the year award for Andrew Gamarra.
Against the wall
Elle Sutter, ’24, found a great shot on goal in the 12th minute. However, Sophie Pillarski for the University of Chicago saved the shot attempt, leading to a goal against the Cardinals. So, for the first time in the season since Transylvania University, The Cardinals did not score the first goal. Instead, they attempted two shots on goal, but the Maroons goalie saved those as well before the half.
Rallying back
In the 49th minute, Lange scored to tie the game. Eventually, two overtime periods commenced, where still neither team scored. This led to the penalty shootout. The shootout saw Sarah Andrey, ’24, Lange, Ellie Lochbaum, ’24, Salviola and Sutter take penalty kicks with Sutter narrowly missing the final shot.
“The team is proud of our performance in the NCAA tournament. We not only remained competitive, goal for goal, with the UChicago Maroons for the length of the match and double overtime, but we had an offensive edge throughout the match. Losing by one penalty kick in the shoot-out tells us that we are at the level to compete in the NCAA tournament successfully. We are especially grateful for fifth-year season Kaitlyn Cannon’s opportunity to experience the NCAA tournament in her final match as a Cardinal,” Coach Gamarra said.
The Cardinals lost their first NCAA matchup. This marks the end of the NCC women’s soccer season. Records were broken and history was made while the Cardinals secured their first NCAA playoff bid.
