OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Last week, the Johnson County Community College women's soccer team appeared in the United Soccer Coaches Women's Division II Preseason Poll earning the No.3 spot. On Monday, the National Junior College Athletic Association released its 2024 preseason rankings for Division II women's soccer and Lady Cavaliers also hold down the No. 3 spot in the country in their poll.
Northwest Mississippi Community College, the team Johnson County defeated to advance to the NJCAA D-II National Semifinals last year, will open the season as the No. 1 ranked team in women's Division II soccer, ahead of defending NJCAA D-II national Champion Jones College. Coming in at No. 4 is Phoenix College, who JCCC defeated 1-0 to advance national championship match, followed by Holmes Community College at No. 5.
Joining Johnson County in the top 20 are Kansas Jayhawk Conference D-II opponents Neosho County Community College at No. 8 and Allen Community College at No. 19. The Lady Cavaliers will face both teams both at home and on the road.
In addition to those four matches against preseason ranked teams, Johnson County will open the season at No. 12 Scottsdale Community College on August 22, followed by a rematch with No. 4 Phoenix on August 24. The Lady Cavaliers will also host No.10 Iowa Central Community College on September 4.
It was a magical year for the women's soccer team in 2023 playing its first season as a Division II program. JCCC won a conference and region titles and despite falling in the district championship, the Lady Cavaliers were awarded an at-large bid to play in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament and they took full advantage, reaching the national championship match for just the second time in program history, falling to Jones 3-0. JCCC finished 18-4-2 on the season.
The Lady Cavaliers opened pool play at nationals with an impressive 4-0 victory over Rock Valley College, the No.12 ranked team in the preseason, then defeated Northwest Mississippi Community College, the preseason No. 7 ranked team. JCCC advanced to the national championship match after a thrilling 1-0 victory over top-seeded Phoenix in the national semifinals.
Head coach Jim Schwab returns 12 players from last year's team, led by All-Americans Sydney Puetz and Montana-Rose Curry. Also back are all-conference and all-region forwards Jenna Knight and Maya Wallace.