Rock Valley rallies for dramatic Region 4 championship win over South Suburban
MADISON, WISC. - It took all 90 minutes to decide a winner in the final match of the 2023 Region 4 Division II Women's Soccer Tournament, and in the end, Rock Valley College rallied from a one-goal deficit to defeat South Suburban College in dramatic fashion on November 4 at Madison College's Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East. The top-seeded Golden Eagles claimed a 2-1 win over the #2-seeded Bulldogs for their first Region 4 championship since 2014, and their first Division II crown since moving up one year prior. Freshman Jocelyn Harms was named Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player, and Kevan Watkins took home Region 4 Coach of the Year recognition.
Rock Valley College reached the title match courtesy of a 3-1 win over #8-seed Moraine Valley Community College and a 1-0 decision against #5-seed Morton College, while South Suburban College needed penalty kicks to get past #7-seed Black Hawk College following a 2-2 tie in the quarterfinals and routed #3-seed College of Lake County 6-1 in the semifinals. Following a scoreless first half, the Bulldogs (10-4-4) went ahead 1-0 with a goal in the 50'. The lead held until Sara Holquin netted the equalizer in the 68' for RVC. The teams battled hard over the next 20-plus minutes, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion. As the clock moved into the 90', the Golden Eagles sent a free kick into the box, where Anika Elgin headed it in the direction of Abigail Carlson. The freshman delivered a scoring strike to give Rock Valley College the come-from-behind win. (Box Score | Rock Valley Recap)
The championship qualifies Rock Valley College (16-2-3) for their second national tournament appearance in program history with a spot in the 2023 NJCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships in Tucson, Arizona, from November 12-18. The Golden Eagles were given the tournament's #11 seed and a spot in Pool B with #2-seed Northwest Mississippi Community College (20-1) and #7-seed Johnson County Community College (15-3-2).
2023 Region 4 Tournament MVP
Jocelyn Harms - Rock Valley College
2023 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Kevan Watkins - Rock Valley College