MT. CARMEL, Ill. -- For the first time in program history, the Lady Warrior soccer team will host a post-season game.
WVC, by virtue of a No. 2 seed, will host Lincoln Trail on Monday, Oct. 24th at 6 p.m. in the NJCAA Region 24 semifinals.
"This is stuff we were dreaming about the very first year," said Lady Warrior coach Patrick Harris, the only coach in the four-year history of the program.
"The fact that we're doing it, we're getting there, we're playing well makes it all the better."
Illinois Central is the No. 1 seed and will host fourth-seeded Lewis & Clark in the other semi, on Oct. 25th at 4 p.m. The championship game is slated for Oct. 30 at the site of the higher seeded team.
The winner advances to the NJCAA Central District tournament, which will also include champions from Regions 11 and 16.
The Lady Warriors are coming off back-to-back tie games, against Lincoln Trail (7-5-1), who they are 1-0-1 against this season and St. Louis-Meramec (0-9-1).
But not for lack of scoring opportunities, according to Harris.
"We're creating a lot of chances, but we're just struggling to score a little bit right now," he said.
WVC is 3-7-2 on the year, but 3-2-1 against Region 24 opponents. The Lady Warriors are 2-0 against Lewis & Clark (3-7) this season, and 0-2 vs. Illinois Central (12-0 and ranked 14th in Division I).
Two games remain on the regular-season schedule, with Parkland (8-6) next up on Saturday, Oct. 15 in Champaign.
"It's a good opportunity for us to play a good-quality opponent to help us get ready for the semifinal game," Harris said.
WVC finishes the regular season on Monday, Oct. 17 at Southwest Tennessee (0-11).
Harris hopes that fans will come out and give the Lady Warriors a boost in this milestone game.
"This is the first time ever that we've done this, and we'd love to see a big crowd to support the girls," Harris said. "If we can get another huge crowd to get the girls excited would be awesome."
The game will be streamed live by News Channel 15. You can watch it here: