OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College women's soccer team will open the season ranked among the top-20 in the country. The Lady Cavaliers open the season as the No. 3 ranked team in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.
Defending NJCAA D-II national champion Jones College is the preseason favorite, followed by Columbia Basin College out of Pasco, Washington who reached the Northwest Athletic Conference Final four last year. Rounding out the top-5 are Peninsula College at No.4 and Phoenix College at No. 5.
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.
Johnson County opens the 2024 regular season on the road against Scottsdale Community College August 22nd, followed by a rematch with No. 5 Phoenix August 24.