Joliet dominates, wins first Region 4 title since 2018
JOLIET, ILL. & ROCHESTER, MINN. - The Joliet Junior College women's soccer team left no doubt who was the class of Region 4 with a resounding 5-1 win over Harper College in the 2023 NJCAA Region 4 Division III Women's Soccer Championship on October 21. The top-seeded Wolves were led by Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player Jacqueline Torres, while Henry Cheung was named Region 4 Coach of the Year.
After going 1-0-1 in two previous meetings against Harper College, Joliet Junior College raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first half. Torres netted the game's first goal in the 10' off an assist from Jalyssa Villafuerte, who then found the back of the net in the 21' to make it a 2-0 advantage. Adriana Plascencia made the score 3-0 in the 34' before the Hawks Norah Hagler put Harper College on the board in the 40'. Villafuerte struck again in the second half with another goal in the 60', and Stephanie Tirrito capped the victory with a 76' scoring strike for a 5-1 decision. (Box Score | Joliet Recap)
The win propelled Joliet Junior College to the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament at Rochester Community & Technical College on October 28-29. The Wolves opened semifinal play against Region 13 runner-up Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and against secured an early three-goal lead in the first half. Villafuerte, Plascencia, and Arely Cisneros all scored, before Torres, Villafuerte, Maddie Schlismann, and Addyson Mellen pushed the differential to 7-0. The win advanced JJC into the championship match and one win away from the 2023 NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championships in Gastonia, North Carolina, from November 7-12. Standing in their way was perennial power and undefeated Delta College. The Pioneers were ranked #1 in the NJCAA Division III Poll, while the Wolves were #4. Delta College controlled the match and used five first half goals to earn an 8-0 victory, ending the Joliet Junior College season with an 11-2-1 record.
2023 Region 4 Tournament MVP
Jacqueline Torres - Joliet Junior College
2023 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Henry Cheung - Joliet Junior College