Here's a look at the 2025 Morton College women's soccer team…
2024 summary
Finished 9-8 overall and 4-2 in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. Isabella da Costa shattered the Morton College single-season scoring record with 26 goals, which tied her for fourth nationally in 2024. Team's 63 goals another program record, eclipsing the 60 goals by the 2018 edition. On the national scene, the Panthers were 19th overall in goals scored and 17th in goals per match with 3.71.
First take on 2025
"We're looking good right now," said Panther coach
Dwayne Cruz. "We're very talented. Our starting lineup could be the best ever we've had here. We're very fast up top and our center/mids are very creative. If we can stay healthy, we should have a good group."
Team goals are to capture the program's first conference and Region 4 crowns. Morton College has been second in the Skyway three of the last four years. Lake County is the defending champion while Waubonsee claimed the previous three Skyway crowns from 2021 to 2023.
2025 season debut
Kansas City Kansas, one of five first-time opponents on the Morton College docket, presents an immediate challenge in the Panthers' season opener at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 23rd. The Blue Devils, an NJCAA Division I national qualifier last year, have transitioned to Division II and are ranked seventh in the preseason poll.
Six back
The Panthers returns six players from last season. Outside midfielders
Lea Jager established herself as an offensive threat with 11 goals and 5 assists.
Sjenna Van De Weerd added 5 goals and 4 assists. Cruz says to keep an eye on
Ruby Hogan, who posted 4 goals and 4 assists.
"She looks way better than last fall," noted Cruz of Hogan.
Maren Stark,
Penelope Armillei and
Ariana Valdovinos also are expected to contribute in the back line.
Meet the newcomers, Part I
Cruz has been impressed with center midfielders Laura Bacelar and Bruna Amar. He also likes Jasminder Sangha, Frederikke Joergensen and America Catalan-Palacios. Zoe Hocke and Marina Azevedo are in the running at goalie.
Meet the newcomers, Part II
In addition to Kansas City Kansas, other first-timers the Panthers face this year are Grand Rapids, Kellogg, Wake Tech and Louisburg. Facing Jackson for just second time as Panthers pulled off 4-3 overtime win in 2019 meeting.
100-win club
Morton College's program is three wins away from the program's 100th victory. The Panthers first fielded a women's intercollegiate team in 2010.
Key games
August 27th – Waubonsee (Skyway opener)
September 24th – at Lake County
October 4th and 5th – Weekend trip to North Carolina for matches vs. Wake Tech and Louisburg.
