Peoria, IL – The Indian Hills Women's Soccer team snapped a two-match losing streak with an impressive 2-0 win on the road at Illinois Central Community College. The Warriors move to 6-6-2 on the year.

"This was a win we needed to finish off the regular season," stated head coach Jon Hussak. "We wanted a little payback for the tie we had at the beginning of the year. Our players came out hungry today and had a good mentality. We had more than our fair share of chances, but to come out with the win helps bolster confidence going into Friday's playoff game."

Indian Hills used a goal in each half to run past the Cougars for the team's fourth shutout of the season. The Warriors previously earned a tie with Illinois Central in Ottumwa back in the season-opener on August 19. The win for the Warriors snapped a three-match win streak for Illinois Central, a span that saw the Cougars pitch three straight shutouts.

The Warriors took an early 1-0 lead after Maika Nchana (Barcelona, Spain/INS Torras I Bages) found the back of the net in the 11 minute mark on an assist from Alexia Bru (Barcelona, Spain/Vall d'Hebrón). After holding the Cougars scoreless through the opening half of play, Indian Hills doubled its lead with a quick strike from Bru at the 49:05 mark.

Behind sophomore keeper María Melendez (Aragua, Venezuela/Aragua Estudiantil), Indian Hills held Illinois Central scoreless the rest of the way to pitch the shutout. Melendez, who tallied three saves on the night, earned her fourth win of the season while lowering her season goals against average to 1.90 on the year. Melendez has now posted two shutouts this season.

Indian Hills is now set to head into postseason action with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Women's Soccer Central District Championship. The five-match tournament, hosted by Lewis & Clark Community College (IL) in Godfrey, IL, pits the Warriors against Wabash Valley Community College (IL) in the opening round at 2:30 PM on October 20.

Illinois Central will play on the opposing side of the bracket in the opening round against Lincoln Trail College (IL). A win for the Warriors would advance Indan Hills to the semifinals against Lewis & Clark Community College (IL) while the winner of Illinois Central and Lincoln Trail would advance to take on Iowa Western Community College in the second semifinal. Both semifinal matches will be played in Godfrey, IL on on October 22 with the championship set for October 28.

2023 NJCAA CENTRAL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

Looking for Indian Hills Athletics information straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter and mobile alerts to receive news, scores, highlights, and more in real-time: INDIAN HILLS ATHLETICS NEWSLETTER