Dupage Policy Journal

The 2025 College Conference of Wisconsin and Illinois (CCIW) women’s soccer season has started with strong offensive performances, solid defensive efforts, and several standout individual contributions across the league.

Elmhurst University leads early headlines, posting a 4-1-0 record and outscoring opponents 17-4 in five matches. Junior midfielder Kelli Coughlin has been central to Elmhurst’s attack, leading in shots, assists, total points, and tying for the team lead in goals and game-winning goals. She contributed significantly in victories over Concordia Chicago and Rockford. Junior forward Lauren Nevins also scored four goals, including a first-half hat trick against Rockford. Sophomore goalkeeper Erin Fitzharris has allowed only four goals in 356 minutes with two shutouts.

Millikin University began its season unbeaten through four matches and now holds a 3-1-1 record. Junior Alanna Smith is tied for third in the conference with three goals. Izzy Jones was named last week’s CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week after tallying two goals and two assists early on. Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Bearley posted an .900 save percentage with one shutout so far.

Wheaton College also holds a 3-1-1 record, opening with back-to-back shutouts over Dominican and Aurora. Junior Lily Lindquist shares the team lead with two game-winning goals. Freshman goalkeeper Leah Roe recorded three shutouts in five games while sophomore Olivia Martin netted her first collegiate goal as a game-winner against Dominican.

North Central College started its campaign at 3-2-0 after splitting its California trip before earning consecutive wins over Dominican and Calvin. Junior Jordan Lange delivered two crucial goals, both game-winners via penalty kicks or open play. Sophomore goalkeeper Lily Mattison leads the CCIW with three shutouts.

Carroll University opened its season as defending regular-season champions with one win, one loss, and two draws from four matches. Senior Carmella Nowak scored twice from penalty kicks while freshman goalkeeper Ava Lewandowski made eight saves during her debut against Dubuque.

Illinois Wesleyan University evened its record at 2-2-0 following wins over Illinois College and Monmouth. Sophomore Liza Wiley leads IWU in assists while tying for most team goals; senior Jenna Gravitt added two early-season scores.

Carthage College remains unbeaten at home this year (1-0-1), standing at 2-3-1 overall. Jadynn Kramer tallied two goals while Ainsley Stallworth earned CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week honors by recording a .885 save percentage across five matches.

North Park University improved to 2-3-0 after breaking a losing streak by defeating St. Norbert Wednesday night in Chicago. Midfielder Julia Önnerheim opened her season with a hat trick versus Benedictine; senior Paige MacRitchie matched a program record with 15 saves against Illinois Tech.

Augustana College seeks its first win after starting 0-3-1 this fall but saw notable performances from junior goalkeeper Sara Schinker and freshman Skylar Swanson—who scored once and assisted another goal versus Wisconsin-Platteville.

Upcoming fixtures include Elmhurst visiting Lawrence Friday evening; Millikin hosting Wisconsin-La Crosse Saturday; Wheaton traveling to DePauw Saturday morning; North Central facing WashU Friday night; Carroll playing Marian on Saturday afternoon; Illinois Wesleyan heading to Wartburg Sunday; Carthage hosting Wisconsin Lutheran Saturday noon; North Park beginning a home stand against Augsburg Saturday morning; Augustana traveling to Cornell Friday afternoon.

"Elmhurst's Kelli Coughlin has helped drive the Elmhurst offense across five games, topping the team in shots (21), assists (3), total points (11) and shots on goal (13), while tying for the team lead in goals (4) and game-winning goals (2). The junior midfielder notably scored two goals and provided an assist in the 4-0 victory over Concordia Chicago in the Aug. 29 opener, and netted the game-winning penalty kick in the 1-0 win against Benedictine on Sept. 3."

"Lauren Nevins, a junior forward, has also been a key offensive player, tying for Elmhurst's lead in goals with four in five games and ranking second in shots with 20 and shots on goal with nine."

"As a goalkeeper, sophomore Erin Fitzharris has been a pillar of Elmhurst's defense, allowing only four goals in 356 minutes across five games for a 1.01 goals-against average and two shutouts."

"Junior Alanna Smith has tied for third in the CCIW with three goals across four appearances."

"Izzy Jones, last week’s CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week, was a significant contributor to MU, registering two goals and two assists for a total of six points early in the season."

"Freshman Jessica Bearley delivered a solid effort in goal, boasting a .900 saves percentage and a 0.72 goals-against average over three games."

"Lily Lindquist, a junior [at Wheaton], owns a share of the team lead with two game-winning goals early in the season..."

"Goalkeeper Leah Roe had an impressive start to her freshman season [at Wheaton], recording three shutouts..."

"Sophomore Olivia Martin scored her first collegiate goal as the game winner [for Wheaton]..."

"Junior...Jordan Lange delivered two crucial goals early [for North Central]...She scored the game-winning penalty kick..."

"Lily Mattison has been strong in net [for North Central], boasting a 0.80 goals-against average..."

"Brielle Ingalsbee connected on the game-winning goal [for Carroll]...The Las Vegas native also provided a key assist..."

"Ava Lewandowski had an impressive collegiate debut [for Carroll], making eight saves..."

"Sophomore Liza Wiley leads IWU with 3 assists..."

"Jadynn Kramer...tied for [Carthage's] team lead with two goals..."

"Ainsley Stallworth was Tuesday’s CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week [for Carthage], achieving...an .885 saves percentage over five matches."

"Julia Önnerheim started [the North Park] season strong, notching a hat trick..."

"Paige MacRitchie...was solid against #22 Illinois Tech..., tying...a program record with 15 saves."