OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - After finishing runner-up at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament the previous two seasons, it should not be a surprise that the Johnson County Community College women's soccer team is a favorite to make another run at a national championship again in 2025.
The Lady Cavaliers open the season ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll. Defending champion Northwest Mississippi Community College holds the top spot, with Heartland Community College at No. 3, Holmes Community College at No. 4, and Pima Community College at No. 5. Kansas Jayhawk Conference rival Kansas City Kansas Community College is ranked No. 7, while Neosho County Community College received votes. JCCC was the No. 3 spot in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.
JCCC has also been tabbed the preseason favorite to win the KJCCC Division II title, ahead of Kansas City Kansas, Neosho County, Allen, Pratt, and Highland.
The Cavaliers' 2025 schedule features four nationally ranked opponents, including No. 7 Kansas City Kansas, No. 9 St. Charles Community College, No. 14 St. Louis Community College, and No. 20 Pensacola State College. Neosho County also received votes.
At the helm of the Johnson County program is head coach Jim Schwab, who is the current active wins leader in the NJCAA and No. 2 overall in women's soccer history with a record of 387-124-26 over 26 seasons.
Schwab will have to replace several key contributors from last year's national runner-up squad, including NJCAA D-II All-America defenders Emily Crosby, Montana-Rose Curry, and Sydney Puetz, as well as goalkeepers Maddox Fergus and Katie Stoskopf. That defensive unit led the nation with a 0.41 goals-against average and 18 shutouts.
Offensively, the team must fill the void left by United Soccer Coaches All-America and National Player of the Year Maya Wallace, along with All-KJCCC performers Karsen Koehler and Jenna Knight. Together, those three combined for 36 goals and 26 assists last season, helping JCCC lead NJCAA D-II in points and assists and rank second in goals scored.
To offset those departures, Schwab will rely on 10 returning players, two sophomore transfer goalkeepers, and 12 promising freshmen.
Headlining JCCC's returnees are 2024 All-KJCCC and All-Region 6 first-team midfield selections Brecken Hoy and Lily Marshall. Hoy appeared in all 24 matches (22 starts), posting 10 goals and nine assists for 29 points. She tied for third on the team in goals, ranked fourth in assists, and fifth in points. Hoy was also instrumental in the national semifinal shootout, scoring twice — including the clinching goal that sent JCCC to the championship match.
Marshall started all 24 matches, tallying 10 goals and 10 assists for 30 points. She tied for third on the team in goals, tied for second in assists, and ranked fourth in points. Marshall also led the squad and ranked second in the conference with five game-winning goals, including two in the national tournament — the most by a JCCC player in tournament history.
Also returning are midfielders Tatum Bresette and Carmen Duarte, forward Jill Lenherr and defenders Eleanor Marshall, Carson Sloan, Riggs Kuhn, Ashley Chaput and Samantha Pond.
With a blend of proven veterans and talented newcomers, the Cavaliers are positioned to remain among the nation's elite in 2025.