Moraine Valley women’s soccer finishes strong, eyes bigger goals for next year

It took a few weeks for the Moraine Valley Community College women’s soccer team to gel, but once they did, they looked like a new team and secured big wins.

In the early part of the season, the Cyclones collected a string of losses – some games they were favored to win. The turnaround happened near the end of September and start of October with a huge upset victory over previously undefeated Joliet Junior College, followed by a 1-0 shutout of Madison College. These victories launched a seven-game win streak leading the team to the second round of playoffs.

“We didn’t want Joliet to come to our house and make the ‘W’ sign, so it was a big win for us. Between both games [Joliet and Madison], we had one player substitution. We got those two big wins and moved up in the seeding,” said Head Coach Javier Roman, ‘Pantera’ to his players, who completed his third year leading the program. “We felt like a different group from the start, and we gelled. We were the team to beat.”

In the playoffs, the Cyclones defeated Elgin Community College, a team they lost to at the start of the season, then faced the higher seeded Black Hawk College in the second round. Sophomore forward Taylor London (Andrew) led the attempt, but the Cyclones fell in the second half, narrowly losing 3-2 to end their season.

“In that last game, they couldn’t stop Taylor. It was sad to lose, but like one of the [player’s] moms said, ‘We have to keep working. Tomorrow is going to be a better day,’” Roman said.

The team finished 10-6 overall and went 3-3 in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, landing in fourth place for the second consecutive year.

All told, the Cyclones scored a collective 48 goals with 4.5 shots per game. London scored 20 of those goals, three of which were game winners. Sophomore forward Heather Canny (Lockport) was London’s partner in crime, scoring 12 goals and collecting eight assists. “Taylor and Heather were the one-two combo. They were unstoppable,” Roman noted.

For their work this season, Canny and London were named to the All-Region 4 first team. Canny also earned All-Conference first team while London was an honorable mention.

Two key players in the midfield were sophomore Yaretzi Gutierrez (Oak Forest) and freshman Madeline Walsh (Oak Forest). Both worked hard to become stronger forces and stoppers in the middle, earning them All-Region second team. Gutierrez also earned All-Conference honorable mention.

Among the other teammates, sophomore Lacey Chapan (Andrew) and freshman Olivia Oblazny (Shepard) were defensive walls on the field as were the two freshmen keepers – Daisy Noemi Campos (Kennedy) and Ana Perez (De La Salle). “The keepers did an amazing job, and either could start,” Roman said.

Roman moved players around to find the right combination on the field, which came together during the second half of the season. Although the finale wasn’t what the team wanted, they know more good things are to come.

“It was a great season, just hard to swallow that loss in region playoffs. Everybody had the same opportunity to win. Now we’re scouting some high school talent and hoping for a big group next year,” Roman explained. “Most of the freshmen are expected to return. We’re coming back strong next year.”

For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit mvcyclones.com.