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Heartland Community College’s women’s soccer
team finished their 2021 season as undefeated national
champions.
In his first season as head coach, Norman Ramos guided the team
to the program’s first ever national tile. The team’s previous
season came to an end with a double-overtime loss in the
national semi-final game. Then, just months later, the Hawks
earned their way back to the NJCAA Division II championship
game. And this time around, they were ranked No. 1.
In the title game against No. 4-ranked Pima Community College
(Tucson, AZ), the Hawks got on the board early in the fifth
minute by sophomore Lucia Cuadra, but would end up trailing
their opponents 2-1 in the second half. Another goal from Cuadra
– her 40th of the season – would tie the game at 2-2: where the
score would remain through the rest of regulation time and
double-overtime.
The match came down to penalty kicks. Made attempts by Marta
Gonzalez and Paula Hernandez, on top of key back-to-back saves
by goal keeper Bekah Nielsen, a Normal West High School grad,
secured the Hawk victory as champions.
Cuadra, Laia Gonzalez, and Leslie Gutierrez received
All-Tournament Team honors for their stand-out performances at
nationals. Ramos was named Coach of the Tournament and Cuadra
was recognized as Most Valuable Player.
Outscoring their opponents 100-9, the Hawks completed their fall
season with a perfect 20-0 record.
“These girls displayed what a champion looks like in every
aspect of being a student athlete,” said Luke Wing, Associate
Director of Athletics.
Heartland Athletics saw a school-record five teams advance to
national tournament play this November. Joining the women’s
soccer team were the men’s soccer team, men’s and women’s cross
country teams and women’s volleyball team.
[Steve Fast
Director, Public Information
Heartland Community College] |
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