NAPERVILLE — The race for the CCIW women’s soccer crown is coming down to the wire, with North Central and North Park set for a decisive first-place showdown between the league’s two unbeaten sides. 
 
Behind them, Wheaton, Carthage and Illinois Wesleyan continue to jostle for postseason position, as strong defensive play and breakout performances have defined one of the most competitive CCIW seasons in recent memory.
 
CCIW ANNOUNCES WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
The CCIW announced Tuesday that North Central’s Kara Waishwell and North Park’s Olivia Eriksson have been named the CCIW Women’s Soccer Student-Athletes of the Week. Waishwell earned the offensive honor after a three-goal, one-assist week for the Cardinals, while Eriksson collected the defensive accolade following a standout two-way performance in the Vikings’ shutout victory at Carroll.
 
Waishwell scored three goals and had an assist through two contests last week. The freshman midfielder scored a late goal and contributed an assist in NCC’s 4-1 win over Millikin last Wednesday before scoring two more against Carthage on Saturday.
 
Saturday’s two-goal game was the first multiple-goal game of her career.  
 
Eriksson, a defender, played all 90 minutes in NPU’s 3-0 win at Carroll last Saturday, logged a goal on only one shot. Her efforts also disrupted and broke up numerous plays on the defensive side of the pitch.
 
CARDINALS SOAR INTO FIRST-PLACE SHOWDOWN
North Central has won seven matches in a row since Sept. 27 to run its overall record to 11-5-0 and its league mark to 6-0-0. The Cardinals are one of just two teams in the league with an unbeaten conference record.
 
NCC leads the conference in offensive efficiency, averaging 2.19 goals per game with 35 total goals scored while allowing just 16 … The Cardinals also rank first in corner kicks (99).
 
Junior forward Jordan Lange has been a key offensive catalyst, ranking second in the CCIW with 23 points on eight goals and seven assists. A consistent performer throughout her career, Lange now totals 31 goals and 25 assists in 53 games played … In goal, Lily Mattison has been among the conference’s best, posting a 1.01 goals-against average and six shutouts with 51 saves and a .761 save percentage … Freshman midfielder Kara Waishwell has emerged as a difference-maker down the stretch, highlighted by a two-goal performance in a 4-0 road win over Carthage. Waishwell ranks tied for fourth in the league with six assists and has recorded three multi-point games during her debut season.
 
Sole possession of first place in the league standings and the right to the #1 seed in the upcoming CCIW Championship are on the line this Saturday at 5 p.m. when the Cardinals visit fellow CCIW unbeaten North Park in Chicago.
 
HISTORY MADE AS NORTH PARK EYES CCIW CROWN
North Park is tied for the top spot in the CCIW standings with a perfect 6-0-0 conference record, contributing to their 9-6-0 overall standing. The Vikings secured their sixth consecutive victory on Wednesday over Millikin and clinched their first-ever berth in the CCIW Tournament history with their win against Carroll last Saturday.
 
North Park enters the final days of conference play with strong balance on both ends of the field, holding a +0.47 scoring margin behind 28 goals scored and 21 allowed through 15 matches …The Vikings rank fourth in the CCIW in points per game (5.13) and third in assists per game (1.40), showing consistency in their attacking buildup … Defensively, North Park stands out for its discipline, committing the fewest fouls in the conference (83 total, 5.53 per game) and earning only three yellow cards all season—the lowest total among CCIW programs.
 
Freshman midfielder Sofia Svensson has made an immediate impact, leading the CCIW in both points per game (1.62) and goals per game (0.77). Her 10 goals in 13 appearances tie for the conference lead and make her just the fifth player in program history to reach double-digit goals in a single season … Junior forward Caroline Sjøstedt continues to drive the Viking attack, pacing the league in total shots (55) and shots per game (3.67) while leading all players with nine assists … In goal, senior Paige MacRitchie has been a steady presence, posting her fourth shutout of the year in a 2-0 win over Millikin. MacRitchie ranks third in the CCIW in save percentage (.769) and has totaled 70 saves through 15 contests.
 
North Park will be on its home pitch Saturday at 5 p.m. against fellow CCIW unbeaten North Central. The winner of the match will claim a share of the league title and the #1 seed to the upcoming CCIW Championship.
 
DEFENSE-FIRST THUNDER PUNCH TICKET WITH SEVEN SHUTOUTS
Wheaton will be a CCIW Championship participant, owning 12 points on a 3-1-3 league record. WC is 6-4-6 overall and is riding a five-match unbeaten streak (2-0-3) since Oct. 8, including a 3-1 win over Carroll on Wednesday.
 
Wheaton has built its success on defensive reliability, ranking second in the conference with seven shutouts through 16 matches … Wheaton remains active in generating chances, sitting fourth in the CCIW with 72 corner kicks, a testament to their persistence in the attacking third.
 
Junior goalkeeper Leah Roe continues to anchor the Thunder defense, leading the CCIW in both total shutouts and shutouts per game (0.44). Her consistency in goal has made her one of the league’s most dependable netminders, holding the top active mark for career shutouts per game among regular starters … Up front, Olivia Martin remains the team’s most experienced scorer, pacing Wheaton with 11 career goals and 31 total points across 69 appearances. She contributed both a goal and an assist in the win over Carroll, marking another multi-point performance … Freshman Cami Tofilon also made her presence felt, notching a goal and assist on consecutive plays in that same match.
 
WC will play its final match of the regular season next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at rival North Central.
 
BALANCED FIREBIRDS RIDING 4-1-3 STRETCH INTO FINAL WEEK
Carthage continues to stay firmly in the CCIW postseason mix, holding a 7-5-4 overall record and a 3-1-2 conference mark. The Firebirds won at Augustana on Wednesday, 1-0, and are 4-1-3 in their last eight matches since Sept. 20.
 
The Firebirds have earned 11 points in league play to sit fourth in the standings, powered by a balanced approach that has yielded a +0.13 scoring margin … Carthage ranks third in the CCIW in total corner kicks (84) and third in shutouts (6), showing the ability to both generate pressure and defend effectively … The Firebirds rank fourth in total saves (91) and fifth in goals against average (1.44).
 
Senior goalkeeper Ainsley Stallworth has been the backbone of the Carthage defense, leading the CCIW in save percentage (.811) while ranking second in both total saves (77) and saves per game (5.13). A four-year starter, Stallworth also stands as the program’s active career leader with 328 saves and 15 shutouts in 58 appearances … Freshman Malie Cassel delivered the decisive tally in the 1-0 win over Augustana on Wednesday, striking in the 55th minute off assists from Lydia Sachs and Maya Lanier … Up front, Carmella Nowak continues to pace the Firebird attack, tying for fifth in the league with five goals in 14 games.
 
The Firebirds will visit Elmhurst Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
PIONEERS LOOK TO CLOSE STRONG IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE
Carroll continues to battle for postseason positioning, entering the final stretch of the regular season with a 5-5-5 overall mark and a 2-4-1 record in CCIW play. The Pioneers have dropped their last two matches against conference foes, including a 3-1 loss at Wheaton last Wednesday.
 
The Pioneers sit sixth in the league standings with seven conference points, anchored by steady defensive work that has kept them competitive in tight matches. Carroll ranks fifth in the CCIW in total saves (77) and averages 5.13 stops per game, while standing sixth in both goals allowed (26) and goals-against average (1.73).
 
Senior forward Carmella Nowak continues to lead the Carroll offense, notching her fifth goal of the season in the 80th minute against Wheaton off a pinpoint through ball from Ellie Patrickus. Nowak’s five goals tie her for fifth among CCIW scorers and highlight her knack for converting key opportunities … Junior midfielder Addie Decker has been an active contributor in the midfield, pacing the team in shot attempts against both North Park and Wheaton, while consistently testing opposing keepers with multiple shots on goal … Veteran forward Brielle Ingalsbee remains a fixture in the lineup and the program’s active career leader in total shots (144 across 70 games).
 
Carroll will try to get back into the win column in its final match of the regular season on Saturday, a 5 p.m. kickoff versus Illinois Wesleyan in Waukesha.
 
BALANCED TITANS LOOK TO BREAK MIDTABLE DEADLOCK
Illinois Wesleyan enters the final week of conference play at 7-7-2 overall and 2-3-1 in the CCIW, positioning the Titans in fifth place with seven points. The were 3-1 winners over Elmhurst last Saturday and fell 2-1 to first-place North Central on Wednesday.
 
The Titans have played some of the most open, high-scoring matches in the league, tallying 34 goals while allowing the same number for a perfectly even scoring margin … Offensively, IWU continues to be one of the CCIW’s most productive units, leading the conference in both total assists (31) and assists per game (1.94) … The Titans also rank third in total shots (277) and goals scored (34).
 
Sophomore forward Liza Wiley has been a central figure in IWU’s attack, ranking fifth in the conference with 19 total points on six goals and seven assists. Her playmaking ability has made her one of the CCIW’s most versatile forwards, tied for second in the league in total assists and recording four multi-point performances this fall … Junior Ava Mapes continues to complement Wiley up front, contributing 13 points (five goals, three assists) and recently notching a goal and two assists in consecutive outings, including a career-best two-assist effort in a 3-1 victory over Elmhurst … In goal, Vanessa Gray has provided stability for the Titans, ranking fourth in the CCIW in total saves (68) while averaging 4.86 per match. Gray’s recent eight-save performance against North Central marked one of her strongest outings of the year.
 
IWU will play its final two CCIW matches on the road, starting with Saturday’s 5 p.m. kickoff at Carroll. The winner of the match will move into fifth place in the league standings.
 
BLUEJAYS CRUISE PAST KNOX, TURN FOCUS TO CCIW PLAY
Elmhurst continues to impress statistically, boasting a 10-5-2 overall record and a .647 winning percentage. EU picked up a 3-0 win over Knox at Langhorst Field on Wednesday night.
 
Despite a 1-4-1 mark in CCIW play (4 points), the Bluejays have established themselves as one of the conference’s most complete teams on both sides of the field. Elmhurst leads the CCIW in several key categories, including total shutouts (10), goals allowed (13), and goals-against average (0.76), producing a commanding +1.35 scoring margin across 17 games … The Bluejays also rank first in shots (313) and shots per game (18.41), while sitting third in total points (92), goals (36) and corner kicks (86).
 
Lauren Nevins has been at the forefront of the Bluejay attack, pacing the CCIW with 11 total goals and ranking second in goals per game (0.65). The junior forward also leads all active Elmhurst players in career goals (22) and points (49), while ranking among the league’s top active scorers … In goal, Erin Fitzharris continues to set the standard, leading the CCIW in goals-against average (0.90) and tying for third in shutouts (6). Her 12 career clean sheets mark her as one of the program’s most dependable goalkeepers … Kelli Coughlin provides another offensive spark, ranking fourth in goals per game (0.46) and points per game (1.23). The junior midfielder found the net in the 3-0 win over Knox, finishing a well-executed sequence assisted by Ellie Muscarello and Maddie Cummings.
 
On Saturday, Elmhurst will host Carthage at 2 p.m.
 
MILLIKIN EARNS DRAW BEHIND STRONG DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Millikin’s 2025 record is 3-9-4, which includes a 0-4-2 record against CCIW opponents.The Big Blue have played their last three league games on the road and earned a 1-1 draw with Wheaton last Saturday.
 
Millikin’s goalkeepers have been among the most active in the league. The Big Blue ranks second in the CCIW in total saves (117) and averages an impressive 7.31 saves per game … Offensively, Millikin ranks seventh in the league in both total shots (173) and shots per game (10.81) and has recorded three shutouts through 16 contests.
 
Junior forward Izzy Jones continues to lead the Millikin attack with 12 points on five goals and two assists, ranking among the CCIW’s top ten scorers in both total goals and goals per game …  In goal, Jessica Bearley remains a steady presence, including a five-save effort in a 1-1 draw against Wheaton last Saturday and a nine-save outing versus North Park on Wednesday … Kameron Zurzolo, a senior defender, delivered one of Millikin’s most memorable moments of the season with a stunning long-range goal in the tie against Wheaton—an arcing 30-yard strike that beat the keeper and secured a valuable result for the Big Blue.
 
The Big Blue will host Augustana Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
AUGUSTANA SET FOR FINAL ROAD TESTS BEHIND STRONG GOALKEEPING
Augustana will close the season with a pair of road matches in the league. The Vikings, 3-11-2 this season, will travel to Millikin for a Saturday start at 1 p.m.
 
On the defensive end, the Vikings have stayed busy and resilient—leading the conference in total saves (125) and averaging 7.81 saves per match. They have also recorded four shutouts through 16 contests.
 
Senior goalkeeper Sara Schinker has been a consistent bright spot, anchoring the Augustana defense with a league-leading 117 saves and 7.31 per game while posting a .785 save percentage—second-best in the CCIW. She has earned four shutouts this season … Freshman forward Skylar Swanson has provided offensive spark and promise for the future, tallying 12 points on four goals and four assists across 16 appearances. Swanson has logged two multi-point performances … Paige Allis recently found the scoresheet for the first time this season, netting a goal off a Giorgia Felicita assist versus Dubuque last Saturday, while also remaining active in attack with multiple shot attempts across recent matches.