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Boasting eight shutout games and one of their best overall season records, the Cyclones ended the year proudly, albeit in defeat on Oct. 25 in the NJCAA Region IV semi-finals. Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference rival and powerhouse Waubonsee Community College was simply the better team and defeated Moraine Valley 8-0 in the playoffs, one of the few teams to shut out the Cyclones this season. The Cyclone defense was prepared for the attack, but the Chiefs found all the holes for the win. Nationally ranked keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) was busy saving 12 and suffered a serious injury to her hands near game’s end. Despite a painful end to the year, the Cyclones finished with their best overall record, 12-5-1, in coach Jim Knawa’s seven seasons as head coach. “Throughout the course of the season, the team had eight shutout games, allowing only 16 goals over 16 games [not counting the final game against Waubonsee],” he said. “I’m pleased with our defense. The keeper was good, but she had a good defensive wall in front of her that contributed to shutouts.” Defense was the greatest asset for the Cyclones, but the season was balanced offensively. There were a number of games where the Cyclones could not capitalize on scoring opportunities; however, they did score 48 goals. Despite an unwanted early end to the season, several players earned honors. Sophomore Jennifer Martinez (Hubbard) was voted the number one defender in the region, was nominated for the All-America team and earned a nod to the All-Region IV first team along with midfielder Vicky Lara (Hubbard). The second team honors went to defender Alma Coronel (Maria), midfielder Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard) and Solus. First team All-Conference selections were forward Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn), Martinez, Coronel, and Lara while second team nods went to forward Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) and Jaimez. “This is obviously an honor having the number of players selected, especially in the region where the other coaches vote on the accomplishments of the girls,” Knawa said. “As I mentioned in the preseason, I knew our defense would be good (taking out the Waubonsee games). We allowed 16 goals in 16 games, including eight shutouts, and two of the awards went to my defenders, Martinez and Coronel, along with keeper Solus. Defense usually doesn't have personal statistics such as goals and assists to judge a player by, so they are based on team accomplishments.” The seven sophomores on the team will be missed, but Knawa is hoping his 10 freshmen return stronger than this year. “The sophomores were a good group and proved they were all leaders,” Knawa said. “This is one of the best teams I’ve coached. There was no drama, no problems and we had just about everyone at every practice. They were dedicated. They bonded well, and played 100 percent as a team.”
October 23, 2011
October
18, 2011 The Cyclones had one final game in the regular season on Oct. 17 to tune-up before the playoffs, but struggled offensively for a 1-0 loss to College of DuPage. Time of possession was in Moraine Valley’s favor for a majority of the game, but the team could not capitalize on scoring opportunities, said coach Jim Knawa. At the 18-yard line the Cyclones got past the keeper, but missed an open net potential goal. The Cyclones did score twice, but they were disallowed because of offside calls. DuPage had one shot on goal, which happened to score.
October
10, 2011 For their fourth consecutive win and final game in regular season NJCAA Region IV play, the Cyclones shut out Carl Sandburg College 6-0 on Oct. 9. That marks the team’s eighth shutout of the season. The Cyclone defense was stingy once again, not allowing a single shot on goal to keeper Ashley Solus (Richards). Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) had two goals, making it a team-leading 12 for the year. Gabby Ramirez (Stagg) also had two goals while Angelina Bricic (Reavis) and Yessica Diaz (Argo) each had one. They were assisted by Vicky Lara (Hubbard), Gosha Skora (Reavis), Stephanie Navarrete (Shepard), and Karla Lopez (Hubbard). One game remains against College of DuPage on Oct. 17 before playoffs begin.
October
6, 2011 In one of their best matches of the season, the Cyclones pushed themselves to the max Oct. 5 to defeat a tough Elgin Community College squad. This is just the second time Moraine Valley has beaten the Spartans in 11 games over the last seven years. Moraine Valley won the game, 3-2, but not without some excitement. Within eight minutes of the start, the Cyclones got on the board and held the 1-0 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Spartans came out determined and scored two goals in the first eight minutes. But the Cyclones did not give up, tying the game and scoring the go-ahead goal with less than 10 minutes left to play. Vicky Lara (Hubbard) had an outstanding day with her midfield play and assisted on a goal. Angelina Bricic (Reavis) scored two, including the winning goal, and had an assist while Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) scored one. Karla Lopez (Hubbard) also had an assist for the game. Keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) stayed busy with 12 saves.
October
4, 2011 They were down early, but the Cyclones found their game Oct. 3 against Harper College and tacked another win onto their record, which is now 9-3-1. Within seven minutes of the start of the game Harper scored on a corner kick, but the Cyclones fought back. By halftime the score was tied at two. In the second half, the Cyclones came out storming and controlled the pace of the game thanks in part to solid play by midfielders Isabella Pinedo (Richards) and Gosha Skora (Reavis). Midway through the half, Moraine Valley scored two goals in three minutes to seal the 4-2 win. Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) scored two of the goals along with one each by Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) and Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard). Yessica Diaz (Argo), Sheeran and Jaimez had assists, and keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) was active at the net with eight saves.
October
3, 2011 As the Cyclones inch closer to the playoffs, they still have time to work on missed easy scoring opportunities, but continue to shut out opponents. To start out the month on Oct. 1, Moraine Valley defeated Daley College 3-0 at home. The Cyclones controlled the pace of the entire game, and the defense once again did not allow any shots on goal. Keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) was tough in the net for 70 minutes and had a breather when Gabby Ramirez (Stagg) took over for the remaining 20 minutes. Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) scored two for the Cyclones with Vicky Lara (Hubbard) netting the third goal. Ramirez and Lara had assists.
September
29, 2011 Moraine Valley was outplayed and outscored Sept. 28 by a top-ranked Waubonsee Community College team as the Cyclones were shut out 6-0. The defense did all they could and keeper Ashley Solus (Richards), who has played well all year, still had nine saves for the game, but the Cyclone offense could not score.
September
27, 2011 The Cyclones continued their winning streak Sept. 26 with a 3-1 victory over Joliet Junior College, bringing their overall record to 7-2-1. Joliet scored first on a penalty kick, but the Cyclones responded with three unanswered goals by freshmen Natalie Maka (Richards) and Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) and sophomore Vicky Lara (Hubbard). Yessica Diaz (Argo) and Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) had assists while keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) was a wall in the net with three saves.
September
26, 2011 The Cyclones improved their record to 6-2-1 after a 3-0 win Sept. 24 over South Suburban College. This was the fourth consecutive game and sixth this season the Cyclones haven’t allowed a goal. Scoring against Moraine Valley has proven to be a challenge this season, as they’ve allowed just four goals over nine games. Led by keeper Ashley Solus (Richards), the defense which includes Jenny Martinez (Hubbard), Alma Coronel (Maria), Stephanie Navarrete (Shepard), and Monserrat Espinosa (Hubbard), continues to work well together to seal wins. Angelina Bricic (Reavis) also had a solid game in the midfield. Solus is currently ranked 48th in the country among goalkeepers with a .49 goals against average. She had five saves for the match. Vicky Lara (Hubbard), Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) and Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) each scored a goal with assists by Sheeran and Lara.
September
20, 2011 The Cyclones battled with conference foe Oakton Community College through regulation time and two overtimes Sept. 19 with neither team able to score. The game ended in a 0-0 deadlock after 110 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Ashley Solus (Richards) turned back six shots on goal while the Cyclones took 12 shots of their own, one of which hit the crossbar late in the game. Hubbard grads Yessica Jaimez and Vicky Lara were strong in the midfield, helping the Cyclones maintain a fifth shutout match.
September
19, 2011 It only took one goal, but that was enough for the Cyclones to shut out Benedictine University's JV team at home on Sept. 16. In seven games so far this season four of those have been shut out games. The team has scored 26 total goals and only allowed four this season. Once the Cyclones found their rhythm they maintained control of the ball for a large chunk of the game. Vicky Lara (Hubbard) and Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard) each had an outstanding match on both sides of the ball. Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) scored with an assist by Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park). Keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) had seven saves.
September
15, 2011 The Cyclones were a force to be reckoned with on Sept. 14 as they hammered Morton College 9-0. The goals kept coming early and often thanks to a combined team effort. Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) and Angelina Bricic (Reavis) each scored three times while Alma Coronel (Maria), Natalie Maka (Richards) and Vicky Lara (Hubbard) each scored one goal. Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn), Gabby Ramirez (Stagg), Karla Lopez (Hubbard), Stephanie Navarrete (Shepard), and Coronel were credited with assists. The defense led by Jenny Martinez (Hubbard), Monserrat Espinosa (Hubbard), Coronel, and Navarrete held Morton to zero shots on goal.
September
13, 2011 The Cyclones' three-game winning streak came to an abrupt end Sept. 12 as they fell 2-1 to Trinity Christian College JV. It was a tough battle with goalkeeper Ashley Solus (Richards) saving 10, including a penalty kick. The lone Moraine Valley goal was from Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) and assisted by Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard).
September
12, 2011 It looked like the Cyclones wouldn't be able to pull out the win against Truman College on Sept. 10, but three goals in the last eight minutes of the game sealed the 3-1 win for Moraine Valley. For the first 80 minutes of the match, the Cyclones dominated the game in field position and ball possession, but found themselves down early to a good defensive Truman team. After losing starting midfielder Katie Fettes (Chicago Christian) to a knee injury, the Cyclones stepped up by finding the net with eight minutes left in the game. Two minutes later they scored two more goals in a great come from behind win. Vicky Lara (Hubbard) scored twice while Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard) scored the third goal. Jaimez and Karla Lopez (Hubbard) got the assists and keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) had two saves in the game.
September
8, 2011 The Cyclones recorded their second consecutive shutout on Sept. 7 with a 4-0 win over Prairie State College. Gabby Ramirez (Stagg), Yessica Diaz (Argo), Katie Fettes (Chicago Christian), and Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard) each scored a goal with assists by Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn), Vicky Lara (Hubbard) and Jaimez. Keeper Ashley Solus (Richards) was tough at the net with three saves.
September
6, 2011 The Cyclones picked up their first win of the season with a stunning 8-0 victory over South Suburban College on Sept. 29. Moraine Valley scored three goals within the first nine minutes of the match before cruising to a 6-0 halftime lead. Ten different players had either a goal or an assist in a well-balanced attack. Ashley Solus (Richards) picked up her first shutout with three saves, led by a solid defense of Jennifer Martinez (Hubbard), Alma Coronel (Maria), Monserrat Espinosa (Hubbard), and Stephanie Navarrete (Shepard). Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) scored three times followed by Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) with two and one goal each by Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard), Gabby Ramirez (Stagg), and Katie Fettes (Chicago Christian). Alma Coronel (Maria), Vicky Lara (Hubbard), Monserrat Espinosa (Hubbard), Karla Lopez (Hubbard), Sheeran, Jaimez, and Martinez each had assists.
September
1, 2011
August
26, 2011 In 2010 the Cyclones' strength was defense, but they couldn't capitalize on scoring opportunities. With a large crop of newcomers, head coach Jim Knawa is hoping to continue the focus on defense and balance it out with some scorers for a more successful 2011. The 2011 squad will be led by co-captain Jennifer Martinez (Hubbard), who was an All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and All-Region IV player. Martinez will lead the defense. Forward Gabby Ramirez (Stagg) also returns and will lead as co-captain, already evidenced by her off-season leadership by conditioning with her teammates. Strong scoring forward Kayla Walsh (Tinley Park) returns with determination as does defensive player Alma Coronel (Maria), and midfielders Katie Fettes (Chicago Christian), Yessica Jaimez (Hubbard), and Vicky Lara (Hubbard). Helping the cause are 11 freshmen, including the lone goalkeeper Ashley Solus (Richards), who was a four-year starter at her high school, and forward Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn), who should be a scoring force with Walsh. Other newcomers include midfielders Angelina Bricic (Reavis), Karla Lopez (Hubbard), Natalie Maka (Richards), Isabella Pinedo (Richards), Gosha Skora (Reavis); and defensive players Yessica Diaz (Argo), Monserrat Espinosa (Hubbard), Stephanie Navarrete (Shepard). The Cyclones are looking to blend the new talent with the skilled returners for a solid unit on the field for an improved season over last year. “Last year was disappointing, and we had a tough time coming out of the gate. We struggled to get the ball in the net, and we had lots of opportunities last year. We hope to be more competitive this year, particularly with our conference schools—Elgin, Lake County, Waubonsee,” Knawa said. “We'll be more defensive oriented and get goals, be more balanced. We hope to capitalize on our strong scorers this season.” |
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October
26, 2011
