EAST PEORIA, Ill. -- Illinois Central defeated Wabash Valley, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon to win the NJCAA Region 24 soccer championship. 

In earning its' first-ever Region title, the Cougars kept Wabash Valley from matching the fete. WVC bows out of the national tournament series with a final record of 6-8-2. 

 "The girls gave everything today and now we have a benchmark for next year," said Lady Warrior coach Patrick Harris of the benchmark that includes a first-ever post-season win. 

Illinois Central carried a 2-0 lead into the second half, but the Warriors were making headway. Any momentum they may have had was wiped out, though, on a penalty kick that the Cougars converted for a 3-0 lead. 

"It changed the game," said Harris of the PK. "We were chasing after that but give all the credit to ICC for winning the game." 

Wabash Valley's lone goal came in the 85th minute by Zoe Mueller off a corner kick. It was Mueller's second goal of the season. 

The loss, WVC's third to the Cougars this season, snapped a season-best five-game unbeaten streak. Illinois Central, ranked 16th in the latest NJCAA Division I poll, will take a 17-0 record into District play this weekend.