NAPERVILLE --- As the conference slate is set to begin Saturday, the CCIW women’s soccer season is shaping up as a clash between high-powered offenses and rock-solid defenses. Elmhurst leads the charge, boasting an impressive overall record and topping the league in goals, total points and scoring margin. Illinois Wesleyan follows closely, fueled by the conference’s best assists-per-game average. Individual stars from Elmhurst, Millikin, and Carroll have also made their mark, ranking among the top in points and goals.

Defensively, standout goalkeeping is shaping the standings. Wheaton and Elmhurst lead in shutouts, while Augustana and North Park feature netminders ranked first and second in total saves. With multiple teams entering league play on winning or unbeaten streaks, the stage is set for a competitive and closely contested CCIW season.
 
ELMHURST’S NEVINS, CARROLL’S DARBY TABBED CCIW WOMEN’S SOCCER STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Elmhurst forward Lauren Nevins and Carroll goalkeeper Neveah Darby were selected as the CCIW Women’s Soccer Student-Athletes of the Week on Tuesday.
 
The Elmhurst junior had two goals and an assist to help the Bluejays to a 3-0 shutout victory at Olivet on Saturday. Her successful penalty kick in the 49th minute was the match winner before she added an insurance tally at 79:42. 
 
The St. Charles, Mo. also played the full 90 minutes in EU’s 1-0 win over Kalamazoo last Wednesday.
 
Making her second start of the season last Monday at Beloit, Darby made six saves and earned the shutout in Carroll’s 3-0 win.
 
BLUEJAYS SWEEP WEEK, EXTEND SHUTOUT STREAK
Elmhurst maintained its winning ways over the previous week, winning its seventh and eighth matches of the season. The Bluejays took down Olivet last Saturday on the road, 3-0, then blanked Beloit at Langhorst Field on Tuesday, 3-0. EU is now 8-1-1 on the season and has won four in a row since Sept. 13.
 
Lauren Nevins leads the CCIW in total points (18), points per game (1.80), goals (8) and goals per game (0.80). … Kelli Coughlin paces the league in both total shots (37) and shots per game (4.11).
 
Elmhurst is atop the conference in total goals (29), goals per game (2.90), total shots (241) and shots per game (24.10). These numbers also gives EU top rankings in total points (76) and points per game (7.60), resulting in the highest scoring average margin in the league (+2.40) … Defensively, the Bluejays also lead the conference in goals allowed, giving up only five goals over 10 games for a conference-best goals against average of 0.50. EU has eight shutout wins.
 
The Bluejays dive into league play Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Wheaton. 
 
PIONEERS WIN AGAIN, EXTEND UNBEATEN STREAK TO SIX GAMES
Carroll won its second consecutive game on Tuesday, scoring a pair of first-half goals to snag a 2-1 win over visiting Wisconsin-Platteville. The victory pushed CU’s 2025 record to 3-1-3 and maintains the Pioneers’ six-game unbeaten stretch.
 
Carmella Nowak has been one of the conference's premier offensive threats this season, ranking third in points per game (1.50) and second in goals per game (0.67) …. Ellie Patrickus is a key playmaker for Carroll, ranking seventh in assists per game (0.33) and sitting eighth overall with 1.00 points per game. She was vital in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory against Wisconsin-Platteville, where she registered an assist on Naomy Gonzalez's goal.
 
Carroll uses strong distribution, ranking third in the conference in assists per game (1.29). The effort allows the team to rank fifth in the conference in scoring, averaging 1.43 goals per game and 4.14 points per game.
 
It will be a rematch of last season’s CCIW Championship final on Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Naperville to meet North Central in the league opener at 11 a.m.
 
TITANS ROAR BACK OVER .500 WITH 4-1 WIN AT KNOX
Illinois Wesleyan bumped its season record back over .500 thanks to a 4-1 rout at Knox on Wednesday. The Titans are now 5-4-0 this fall, including a 4-1-0 mark on the road.
 
Keira Robinson delivered a standout performance against Knox, logging the first multi-goal game of her career She scored the Titans' first two goals, including the game-winner. Her first goal came just minutes into the match (2:10) off an assist from Kayley Carew, and she finished off the second goal in the 23rd minute to give Illinois Wesleyan a 2-0 lead … Liza Wiley has driven the IWU offense, leading the conference with five assists and ranking fourth in points per game (1.44) … She has three multi-point games this season.
 
IWU ranks second in the conference in both total goals (20) and goals per game (2.22). The team also boasts the conference's best assists per game average (1.89), ranking second overall with 17 total assists … The Titans outshot Knox 15-6 overall on Wednesday, including an 8-4 edge in shots on goal. 
 
The Titans are back in Bloomington at Neis Field on Saturday, hosting Wisconsin-Platteville in non-league competition at 1 p.m.
 
CARTHAGE UNBEATEN IN KENOSHA, STALLWORTH SHINES IN NET
Carthage collected a 1-0 win at home versus Knox last Saturday, then earned a 2-2 draw on the road Wednesday at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Firebirds are 4-4-2 overall and are still unbeaten in Kenosha with a 3-0-1 mark at Art Keller Field.
 
Goalkeeper Ainsley Stallworth has been dependable in net, leading Carthage with four shutouts. She’s third in shutouts per game (0.44) in the CCIW and also ranks third in the conference with 40 total saves and 4.44 saves per game … Ashley Gorder has paced Carthage’s attack, ranking second on the team in total points with seven and sharing the team lead in goals with three.
 
Carthage is second in the league in corners with 56 total, averaging 5.60 per game. Defensively, the team maintains a solid overall goals-against average of 1.50 over 10 games – fourth-lowest in the CCIW.
 
The Firebirds will make the trip to Decatur on Saturday to meet Millikin in the league opener at 3:30 p.m.
 
THUNDER STRIKE ZERO: BACK-TO-BACK SHUTOUT DRAWS
Wheaton didn’t allow a goal 180 minutes over the last week, earning back-to-back 0-0 draws against St. Mary’s (Ind.) last Friday and Wisconsin-Whitewater on Wednesday. The results moved the Thunder’s record to 3-3-3 this season.
 
Goalkeeper Leah Roe leads all conference goalkeepers with five shutouts. Against Wisconsin-Whitewater on Wednesday, she secured her fifth clean sheet with four saves over the full 90 minutes … Grace Crowder registered the only shot on goal for either side last Friday at St. Mary’s when she directed a header that required a leaping save late in the regulation period.
 
Wheaton's defense has been strong in 2025 with a conference-leading five total shutouts … The Thunder are also efficient offensively, ranking fourth in the conference in both total corners (40) and corners per game (4.44).
 
Wheaton hosts Elmhurst Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Joe Bean Stadium, the first CCIW contest for both sides.
 
CARDINALS STRONG ON BOTH ENDS, READY FOR CCIW OPENER
North Central was a 3-1 winner at Hanover last Sunday, the Cardinals’ third road win of the season. The Cardinals, who have played five of their nine matches against opponents either nationally ranked or receiving votes, are 4-5-0 in 2025.
 
Jordan Lange logged a goal and an assist in Sunday’s win at Hanover. Lange ranks seventh in the conference in shots per game (2.44) … Kara Waiswell delivered an assist at Hanover and another assist in NCC’s narrow 2-1 loss to #8 Chicago on Wednesday.
 
The Cardinals outshot Hanover 18-6 overall and put 13 shots on goal last Sunday … NCC also boasts a strong defensive resume overall, ranking second in the conference in goals allowed (11) and goals against average (1.22) … North Central currently ranks third in the conference in total shots (123) and third in corners (43).
 
NCC will meet last season’s CCIW regular-season champion, Carroll, in the CCIW opener on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Naperville.
 
JONES AND DOMINGUEZ DRIVE OFFENSE IN MIXED WEEK FOR BIG BLUE
Millikin’s 2025 record is 3-4-2 after a 1-1 draw versus Illinois College last Sunday in Decatur and a 3-0 defeat at Greenville on Wednesday. The Big Blue have played seven of their nine matches at home this season.
 
Izzy Jones is currently sixth in the conference in points per game (1.11) and is tied for fourth in goals (4) and goals per game (0.44) … Payton Dominguez assisted on Jones' goal against Illinois College last Sunday to give Millikin a 1-0 lead early in the match. Dominguez ranks second in the conference in total assists (4) and assists per game (0.44).
 
Millikin is third in the conference in total goals (16) and goals per game (1.78). Millikin also ranks fourth in the CCIW in both total assists (10) and assists per game (1.11) … In the 1-1 tie against Illinois College, MU held a 15-13 shot advantage and a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.
 
It will be another home contest for the Big Blue on Saturday when Carthage travels to Decatur for a 3:30 p.m. CCIW kickoff.
 
AUGUSTANA BLANKS RIPON, PREPARES FOR SENIOR DAY
Augustana picked up its third win of the campaign on Tuesday, blanking Ripon 1-0 in Rock Island. The result marked Augie’s third shutout victory in the last four games since Sept. 12.
 
Skylar Swanson is fourth in the league in total assists (3) and assists per game (0.38) through eight games played. She is also one of only two Augustana players with more than one multiple-point game this season … Goalkeeper Sara Schinker has secured four clean sheets in eight games for a 0.50 shutouts per game average – second in the conference. Her strong presence in goal also produces a CCIW-best 5.50 saves per game average and a save percentage of .830, which leads the conference.
 
In Tuesday’s win, Augustana dominated the attack by outshooting Ripon 12-7 overall and maintaining a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal. Alyssa Mowry netted the game-winner in the 79th minute.
 
The Vikings will go for back-to-back wins Saturday in conference play against North Park. Augie’s Senior Day is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Thorson-Lucken Field.
 
VIKINGS READY FOR ROAD CHALLENGE AGAINST AUGUSTANA
North Park is 3-6-0 on the year and will seek its first win since Sept. 13 when the league slate begins on Saturday. The Vikings will be taking their first road trip since Sept. 6 when they visit Augustana for a 1 p.m. start.
 
Julia Önnerheim currently ranks tied for ninth in the conference in goals (3) and goals per game (0.33) … Goalkeeper Paige Macritchie paces the team in saves and ranks first in the league with 49 total saves through nine games. She also ranks second in the conference in saves per game (5.44) and anchored the defense with five saves against Lake Forest last Saturday.
 
North Park had 16 shots against Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Wednesday. Nine of the shots came in the second half … Overall, North Park's defense ranks fourth in the conference in total saves (51) and save percentage (.750).