After an incredible run to their first CCIW conference crown, the North Central College women’s soccer team are looking to run it back this season. With a strong returning core, the Cardinals look to fill out their depth by welcoming nine first-year athletes and one sophomore transfer who will look to make their mark on the team.
A dominant season
The NCC Women’s soccer team came away with a program-best record of 18-2-1 in CCIW regular season competition without giving up a single goal. They would then outscore their two opponents 9-2 on their way to clinching their first title in program history. The Cardinals would be bounced out of the first round of the NCAA tournament by the University of Chicago on penalties. Despite that, there were a lot of feats that head coach Andrew Gamarra can be pleased with.
A new era
Most of their core are now returning for another year including Elle Sutter, ’25, Sarah Andrey, ’25, Jordan Boyd, ’25, Erin Jaskierski, ’25, Madelyn Camaioni, ’25, Gabriella Galvez, ’25, Yazmin Martinez, ’26, Kassandra Salviola, ’26, Jordan Lange, ’27, among many others.
“I believe it all starts with the mindset we bring into each game,” Andrey said, talking about how the team will continue their dominance in the CCIW. “Confidence is key – knowing that we have the ability to compete with anyone as long as we stay focused and put in the effort.”
This crew last year broke fourteen school records and earned a program-high eight CCIW team selections. Their offense will be lead Elle Sutter and Jordan Lange. Sutter is the reigning CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year and just earned her eighth CCIW Offensive Player of the Week award earlier this season. Lange, on the other hand, earned the CCIW Freshman of the Year award and broke the program’s freshman single-season records in goals (14), assists (10), and points (38).
The season so far
The Cardinals began their title defense in Massachusetts as they split a pair of games against Bridgewater State and Endicott. They would then win the next two out of three games beating Dominican and Ohio Wesleyan. Sutter is already off to a hot start as she has scored six goals in five games with Andrey not being far behind with three.
“As a fifth year, I’m here to have fun and make the most of my last year not only on the field, but off the field as well,” Andrey said as she talked about her experience on the team, “I want to continue to grow the game and share my love for soccer with my teammates and others around me.”
If the Cardinals can continue their dominant play and the players can have a competitive mindset, they will make some noise when conference play starts.
