Dupage Policy Journal

Fifth-seeded Wheaton College and sixth-seeded Elmhurst University advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women’s Soccer Championship after both teams won their quarterfinal matches on penalty kicks.

Wheaton defeated fourth-seeded Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington. The match ended 1-1 after two overtime periods. Olivia Martin scored for Wheaton in the 70th minute, while Liza Wiley equalized for Illinois Wesleyan in the 89th minute with an assist from Kayley Carew. In the penalty shootout, Martin, Lily Lindquist, Cami Tofilon, and Marissa Davis converted their attempts for Wheaton. Davis’s goal secured advancement for her team. For Illinois Wesleyan, Bree Corday, Keira Robinson, and Carew were successful from the spot.

Illinois Wesleyan had more possession and outshot Wheaton 22-7 overall, including a 12-6 advantage in shots on target. Wheaton goalkeeper Leah Roe made 10 saves during regulation and overtime; Vanessa Gray of Illinois Wesleyan recorded five saves.

Elmhurst faced third-seeded Carthage in Kenosha. After a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime—Maya Stone scoring for Carthage in the 21st minute and Maddie Cummings responding for Elmhurst three minutes later—the match was decided by penalties. Elmhurst held a slight edge in total shots (13-9) and corner kicks (7-4), while both teams managed five shots on goal each. Goalkeepers Erin Fitzharris (Elmhurst) and Ainsley Stallworth (Carthage) each had four saves.

The shootout lasted seven rounds. Fitzharris stopped Eve Hockerman’s attempt before Celeste Chapa converted her penalty to send Elmhurst into the semifinals. Kelli Coughlin, Nora Simon, Lauren Nevins, Megan Kleve, and MaiLei Garcia also scored penalties for Elmhurst.

This marks the first time both road teams have advanced from the quarterfinal round in league history.

In Wednesday’s semifinal matches, Wheaton will play at top-seeded North Central at 7 p.m., while Elmhurst will visit second-seeded North Park at 7 p.m.