Dwayne Cruz begins his sixth season as head women’s soccer coach at Morton College. His exciting brand of offensive-minded soccer has turned the Panthers into a must-see program.
Isabella da Costa shattered the Morton College single-season scoring record with 26 goals, which tied her for fourth nationally in 2024. Morton College’s 63 goals was 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.
In addition, Morton College’s 12-0 win vs. Bryant & Stratton was the Panthers’ second greatest margin of victory in program history.
"We want to be able to possess the ball and attack," Cruz said. "If an opponent scores four goals, I expect to score five. We constantly want to be on the attack."
The Panthers and Cruz are in pursuit of some major milestones this season. Morton College is just three wins from the program’s 100th overall win and Cruz’s first win this season will move him past Juan Franco as the program’s all-time winningest coach. The two are currently tied with 36 wins.
Cruz took over the program when the Panthers transitioned into the NJCAA’s newly-created Division II in 2020. After starting 2-5-1 during a COVID-shortened season in the spring of 2021, Cruz has overseen three nine-win campaigns in the past four years and a 34-24-4 overall mark.
The Panthers registered their biggest win in program history with a 1-0 win over No. 3 ranked Waubonsee October 6th, 2021. Also in that season, Morton College produced the program’s first NJCAA All-American player in Honorable Mention selection Brenda Torres and beat Moraine Valley for the first time since 2012.
In 2023, Morton College reeled off five consecutive victories. It was the program’s second-longest win streak with the 2019 edition holding the record with six straight victories.
The Panthers also have posted back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference in 2021 and 2022.
Soccer is a huge part of Cruz's DNA. It's how he makes a living and what he's all about.
Cruz spent 18 years as the women's soccer coach at Harper College, taking the Hawks to the NJCAA nationals three times. His 2002 qualifier was the only non-scholarship program at nationals that year, placing sixth in the eight-team field.
"I've been on the community college women's soccer scene for a long time and know what it takes to be successful," said Cruz, who also guided Harper to nationals in 2010 and 2012.
Morton College's entry into the NJCAA newly-created Division II level for women's soccer in 2020 got Cruz in the Panther position because it allows him to build a program with scholarship student-athletes.
Cruz's personal soccer Rolodex extends to the club and high school scene. He's the director of soccer for the Arlington Aces, one of the largest programs in the northwest suburbs. His club teams from the northwest suburbs have claimed multiple state and national titles.
"Coaching soccer is something I love to do," Cruz said. "It's in my blood – it's my life's passion. It's something I really, really enjoy."
Cruz's coaching philosophy excites the women's soccer followers in Panther Nation. He's long recognized for his ability to teach and develop players for the next level.
Regardless of the level, Cruz is known for developing team camaraderie and chemistry. Jane Stefaniak, who played on Cruz's U-15 Arlington Aces Presidents Cup championship team in 2018, said of him, "Our coach (Dwayne Cruz) has become like a second father to all of us."
Cruz holds the following soccer licenses: KNVB Youth License, NSCAA National Youth License, USSF D and ASEP Certified.
