Women’s Soccer Wins CCIW Championship, First Time in Program History

The Bluejays celebrate their championship win. || Photo by Lorrie Decker and Elmhurst University Athletic

The Elmhurst University women’s soccer team made history on Nov. 7, capturing its first ever conference championship after defeating North Central College in a crucial penalty shootout following a 1-1 tie through regulation and two overtime periods.

The Bluejays entered the championship match against an undefeated North Central team with a record of 13-4-2. Despite facing one of their toughest opponents of the season, EU showed the resilience and determination that had carried the team through its historic season.

North Central opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when Baylee Burbidge found the net, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 advantage. However, EU responded in just six minutes.

Forward Lauren Nevins delivered the equalizer in the 58th minute, taking advantage of a loose ball near the North Central goalkeeper and tapping it into the net.

“One of my teammates, Kelli [Coughlin], was like go press the goalie,” said Nevins. “And I was like, oh, no, like, no, I’m good. Like I don’t want to do that. I’m tired.”

After eventually deciding to make a run, Nevins found the ball available and capitalized on the opportunity.

“I was looking at the ref like, call it back, because I was like, no way this is a goal,” said Nevins.

Neither team managed to find another goal during regulation or the two overtime periods, which sent the championship match into a penalty shootout.

Goalkeeper Sequoia Ross played a crucial role in the deciding moments, stopping North Central’s first penalty attempt.

“For me, when I’m doing PKs, I need to be calm and not freaking out and just relaxed,” Ross said.

Her first save proved especially crucial, as she explained that EU could’ve potentially lost following the first five attempts if she hadn’t stopped that initial penalty.

The shootout eventually extended beyond both the initial five attempts, with both teams missing their sixth kicks. Senior midfielder Anna Norstrom then stepped up for EU’s seventh attempt and converted the decisive penalty, securing the championship for the Jays.

For Norstrom, the moment had some additional significance. In her freshman season, she scored a goal in what was the team’s first victory in a long time. Four years later, she found herself delivering another crucial moment in team history.

“Scoring, getting the chance to score in the PK last night, felt like a full-circle moment,” said Norstrom.

Behind EU’s historic championship run is head coach Susie McCreery Foster, who took over the program four years ago. The season before her arrival, the Jays finished 0-16. This season, they finished 16-3, transforming the program into a conference champion.

Foster credited the players, particularly the senior class, for believing in the program’s vision and helping establish a winning culture.

“I think it was finding people that wanted to be at Elmhurst,” said Foster. “And they wanted to be a part of building something special.”

Her coaching philosophy promotes personal development, positivity, and trust. Foster described her approach as high energy, with an emphasis on putting the person before the player.

“I think I like to think of myself as like a high energy, very positive person,” Foster said. “Person first; player second.”

Players also echoed that sentiment, pointing to Foster’s recruiting, team-building activities, and commitment to developing strong relationships as major factors behind their success.

“She’s an amazing leader, amazing coach, and the people that she has recruited over these past four years has been something that’s exceptional, like these girls are truly my sisters,” said Nevins.

For EU, the trophy represented much more than a trophy. It marked the culmination of four years of progress, dedication, and belief in a program that had struggled to succeed.

Ross, who joined the program when it was still building its identity, reflected on how far the Jays had come. During her freshman season, the team reached the playoffs for the first time in years.

“It’s so surreal to me that all this has happened,” said Ross.

With its first conference championship secured, Elmhurst has established a new standard for the program. What began as a rebuilding effort four years ago has become one of the most memorable seasons in Bluejay women’s soccer history.