NAPERVILLE — The road to the 2025 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women’s Soccer Championship begins Saturday with a pair of quarterfinal matches. Illinois Wesleyan hosts Wheaton and Carthage welcomes Elmhurst, with the winners advancing to face top-seeded North Central and #2 North Park in next Wednesday’s semifinals.
 
Admission to all tournament matches -- which is cash only on many campuses -- is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and children ages six and older. Children five and younger are free, as are CCIW students when presenting a valid student ID.
 
#1 North Central
2025 Record: 13-5-0, 8-0-0 CCIW (1st, 24 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 40
Last Season: Won championship
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2024
 
North Central, the 2025 regular-season CCIW champion and the winner of the last two CCIW Tournaments, finds itself as the top seed for the upcoming tournament. The Cardinals went 13-5-0 overall this season and swept the league schedule (8-0-0), part of a nine-match win streak that dates back to Sept. 27. Four of NCC’s five losses have come against nationally ranked opponents.
 
The Cardinals ranked second in the league in goals (40), goals per game (2.22), and points (112), while leading all CCIW teams in corner kicks (110) and ranking second in shots (326). Defensively, North Central allowed just 16 goals across 18 matches (0.89 goals against average) and posted eight shutouts, both figures ranking among the top two in the conference.

Senior forward Jordan Lange has been the catalyst for North Central’s attack, ranking among the CCIW leaders with 10 goals and seven assists for 27 total points (1.50 per game). Supporting Lange are fellow offensive threats Kassandra Salviola and Gabriella Mattio, each contributing six goals, while Kara Waishwell and Madison DeVriendt have been key playmakers with seven and six assists, respectively. Goalkeeper Lily Mattison has anchored the Cardinals’ defensive unit, leading the CCIW with eight shutouts while posting a .784 save percentage and a 0.90 goals-against average — both top-three marks in the league.
 
NCC will meet either Illinois Wesleyan or Wheaton in the semifinal round next Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. 
 
#2 North Park
2025 Record: 9-8-0, 6-2-0 CCIW (2nd, 18 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 129
Last Season: Did not qualify
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: None
 
North Park is in the CCIW Tournament for the first time ever, earning its highest finish in the CCIW standings in league history — 6-2-0 for the sole possession of second place. The Vikings were 9-8-0 overall. 
 
The Vikings were among the league’s stingiest defensive units, conceding just eight goals in conference play (25 total) while ranking fourth in overall scoring at 28 goals (1.65 per game).  North Park averaged 13.5 shots per contest and produced four shutouts on the season.

Junior forward Sofia Svensson powered the North Park attack with 10 goals and one assist for 21 points, tying for the league lead in points per game (1.50). Senior midfielder Caroline Sjøstedt provided creativity and service in the attacking third, leading the conference with nine assists while adding three goals for 15 points. Goalkeeper Paige MacRitchie anchored the defense with 83 saves and four shutouts, ranking among the CCIW leaders in both categories
 
North Park will be the home team next Wednesday night in Chicago for the semifinal round, hosting either Carthage or Elmhurst at 7 p.m.
 
#3 Carthage
2025 Record: 8-6-4, 4-2-2 CCIW (3rd, 14 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 156
Last Season: Did not qualify
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: None
 
Carthage is back in the CCIW postseason field for the first time since 2022 and will be seeking its first CCIW Tournament victory since 2007. The Firebirds used a strong 5-1-2 record in Kenosha to bolster their 8-6-4 overall record, which included a 4-2-2 mark against conference opponents.
 
The Firebirds’ balance on both ends of the pitch was a hallmark of their success, scoring 27 goals while allowing just 26—a narrow +1 goal differential. They ranked fifth in the CCIW in scoring (1.50 goals per game) and third in corner kicks (94), while goalkeeper Ainsley Stallworth’s presence helped the team collect seven shutouts. Carthage’s disciplined play also showed in possession, as the Firebirds conceded fewer than nine fouls per match.

Senior forward Eve Hockerman and junior midfielder Peyton Olinski paced the Carthage offense, each producing multiple multi-point performances — including Hockerman’s two-goal effort versus Illinois Wesleyan and Olinski’s three-point game at Millikin. Emma Amberg contributed four assists to bolster the attack, while Ashley Gorder and Ruby Hillegass also served as key distributors in the midfield. In goal, Stallworth ranked among the CCIW’s elite, finishing second in the league with seven shutouts, an .822 save percentage, and a 1.18 goals-against average across 17 appearances.
 
Carthage will host Elmhurst Saturday at 7 p.m. in a quarterfinal match. The Bluejays won the regular-season bout between the two squads, 3-1 in Elmhurst on Oct. 25.
 
#4 Illinois Wesleyan
2025 Record: 9-7-2, 4-3-1 CCIW (4th, 13 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 143
Last Season: Did not qualify
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2022
 
Illinois Wesleyan won four of its last five CCIW games in the regular season to secure a home quarterfinal match in the tournament. IWU closed out the campaign 9-7-2 overall, 4-3-1 in the league and has allowed just two goals in the last 450 minutes of competition.
 
The Titans ranked third in the league in both goals (36) and assists (33), averaging an even 2.00 goals per game while allowing 34. Illinois Wesleyan also finished among the top half of the CCIW in total shots (304) and corner kicks (75).

Illinois Wesleyan showcased impressive depth with multiple players contributing to the scoring column. Senior forward Liza Wiley and sophomore Keira Robinson each ranked among the conference’s top scorers — Wiley totaling six goals and seven assists for 19 points, and Robinson adding seven goals for 15 points. Midfielder Ava Mapes added five goals and a pair of multi-assist performances, while defenders Kayley Carew and Ellen Dahlquist each provided playmaking ability with five and four assists, respectively. Goalkeeper Vanessa Gray was strong between the posts, tallying three solo shutouts, 74 saves, and a .747 save percentage.
 
On Saturday, IWU will host Wheaton at noon at Neis Field. The two sides tied 0-0 on Oct. 8, but IWU has won the last two matchups between the two programs in Bloomington.
 
#5 Wheaton
2025 Record: 6-5-6, 3-2-3 CCIW (5th, 12 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 141
Last Season: Lost semifinal
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2021
 
A five-match unbeaten stretch (2-0-3) from Oct. 8 through Oct. 22 keyed Wheaton’s push for a CCIW Tournament bid. The Thunder finished the league slate 3-2-3 to place fifth in the final standings, part of an overall mark of 6-5-6. 
 
The Thunder leaned on defensive discipline throughout the campaign, conceding only 25 goals across 17 matches (1.47 goals per game) while playing to six draws . Wheaton scored 16 goals (0.94 per game) and ranked fourth in the conference in corner kicks (77).

Junior goalkeeper Leah Roe was the backbone of Wheaton’s defense, finishing tied for second in the CCIW with seven shutouts while ranking among the league’s leaders in saves (65), save percentage (.747), and goals-against average (1.36). On the attacking end, senior midfielder Olivia Martin and forward Cami Tofilon each contributed key goals in conference play, with Martin recording a goal and assist in the Thunder’s late-season win over Carroll. Defensive stalwart Grace Crowder anchored the back line, helping limit opponents’ high-percentage chances, while Wheaton’s balanced midfield — featuring steady contributors like Emily Setran and Lily Lindquist — kept the Thunder competitive in possession battles throughout the season. 
 
The Thunder will hit the road in the quarterfinal round for the second consecutive season, a noon matchup at Illinois Wesleyan. A win on Saturday would extend Wheaton’s streak of playing in the semifinal round in every CCIW Tournament played since 2002. 
 
#6 Elmhurst
2025 Record: 12-5-2, 3-4-1 CCIW (6th, 10 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 158
Last Season: Lost quarterfinal
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: None
 
Elmhurst will play in the CCIW Tournament for the second year in a row, marking just the second time in program history the Bluejays have made consecutive postseason appearances. At 12-5-2 overall and 3-4-1 in the conference, EU is still in search of its first-ever CCIW Tournament win.
 
The Bluejays featured one of the league’s most productive offenses, leading the CCIW in goals (44), points (114) and shots (345) while also ranking first in team scoring average at 2.32 goals per game. Defensively, Elmhurst was equally impressive, allowing just 14 goals across 19 matches (0.74 goals per game) and recording a league-best 11 shutouts.
 
Junior forward Lauren Nevins paced the Bluejays’ attack with 13 goals and two assists, leading the CCIW in both goals scored and total points (28). Supporting Nevins were Kelli Coughlin (7 goals, 5 assists) and forward Maddie Cummings (6 goals, 3 assists), while midfielder Gabriella Bogaczewicz and defender Audrey Bray each contributed multiple assists in key matches. Between the posts, goalkeeper Erin Fitzharris was outstanding, leading the conference with a 0.88 goals-against average while collecting six solo shutouts and an impressive .774 save percentage.
 
The Bluejays will play Carthage in the opening round, the second meeting between the two teams in an eight-day span. Elmhurst won last weekend’s matchup, 3-1.