On the Winning Way

EAST PEORIA — The Cougars womens soccer team has finally come together and they are now in the midst of a three game winning streak.

“We needed it,” said coach Emily Points about the getting in a winning way. “We had played some top ranked teams early in the season so it made it rough with all the injuries.”

Illinois Central College (3-5) started the season shorthanded due to injuries and when they went to Kansas for a tournament they only had two substitutes to come off the bench. With the temperatures in the 100’s on the turf, it really made it tough on Points to be able to keep players fresh with so few substitutes.

The Cougars also added freshman Sara Haney and sophomore Lauren Hicks in the last couple weeks to the team to add depth.

“It adds more depth and makes a big difference for us,” Points said.

After starting the season 0-5, the Cougars finally got in the win column against Robert Morris with a 12-0 win at EastSide Centre. Nine different players scored for the Cougars in the game with Jesla Bolen, Kate Hanson and Megan Wilson all having two goals in the game.

“We needed it for the girls,” said Points. “The girls delivered and were good, coaches kept preaching it, we just needed to see it.”

They followed the win against Robert Morris with two wins at home for their first home wins against Waubonsee Community College (4-4) and Southwestern Illinois College (3-5).

The team is led by Maddie Cordts with six goals and three assists in goals and points.

“I am working on improving myself from last year and giving it all on the field,” said Cordts about the leadership she has shown on the field. “I love being one of the players that has a major effect on the field.”

Wilson also has five goals and two assists. Jesse Markas leads the team in assists with five and also has three goals. Diveley also has pitched three goals and four assists.

“Wilson was frustrated and finally turned the corner, she proved she can really turn it on,” said Points. “This group of girls is talented, they just have to finish on the field.”

Three of the next six games for ICC are against nationally ranked teams including St. Louis, Iowa Western and Lewis & Clark. Also included is a home game against rival Parkland.

“These are big games for us,” Points said.

The next home game for the Cougars is against Iowa Western on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.