After Tough Regular Season Schedule, ICC Men’s Soccer Looking to Create Post-Season Success
The Illinois Central College men’s soccer regular season is soon wrapping up, with the team only having one game left before starting the Region 24 tournament on Saturday, Oct. 21. The Cougars, who currently sit at a 8-7 record, definitely haven’t had all the luck on their side, so far going 1-4 in conference games and only 1-4 on the road this season.
The .533 record doesn’t define this team, however, as they have had two big wins over Division II Heartland and #10-ranked Division II St. Louis. On the flip slide, they have lost three one-score games to #17 Lincoln Trail, #16 Lewis and Clark, and unranked Carl Sandburg.
ICC men’s soccer coach Gabriel Carreno says, altogether, the team has one of the toughest schedules in the country.
“We have played 11 ranked opponents in the last 14 games. It is fair to say that we have been challenged more than other programs,” Carreno says. “We are committed to what we said we were going to try to do this year since the beginning – go to Nationals. We have been using that as motivation and, as that option is on the table, we will be going for it.”
The Cougars have gotten themselves on the right path recently in preparation for the playoffs. Coach Carreno says the team’s current objective is to generate momentum moving into the post-season.
“We are currently coming off two great wins, one against a region rival, and the group is starting to look well with the current system,” Carreno says. ”Having momentum will help with imposing ourselves in the matches that matter the most.”
One advantage for this Cougar team has been its balance. They don’t have one player they heavily rely on, unlike other teams who have what Coach Carreno calls an “x-factor” player that opposing teams struggle with.
“We have been getting really creative with our systems and functions,” Carreno says. “That’s what has been working for us and making the game fun for us. We will still be depending on group dynamics if we want to get far this year.”
If you want to see the Cougars play before they head to the playoffs, the next opportunity is Oct. 18 against Southeastern Iowa at the CougarPlex on the ICC East Peoria campus.