Harper hosts Joliet in regional opener
The second-seeded Harper College women’s soccer team looks to defend its NJCAA Division III Region IV title today when it opens regional play at 3 p.m.
The Hawks will host third-seeded Joliet Junior College. The teams split their only two meetings this season. If the Hawks win, they will move on to Saturday’s regional final.
The highest remaining seed will be the host site for Saturday’s game.
Harper and College of DuPage have met in the last four regional finals. DuPage is 2-1 agianst Harper in regional finals.
“They’re going to come at us,” said Hawks coach Dwayne Cruz of Joliet.
For the Hawks to be successful, their back line must defend against long-distance scoring attempts.
“They love to shoot from the outside,” Cruz said.
The player to watch for Joliet is sophomore midfielder Caytin Lewin (Benet Academy). Lewin has 7 goals and 11 assists this season.
The Hawks might play a little bit more conservatively than their normal attacking style. In a perfect world, Cruz would like to see his team get an early goal so he can get rest for some of his players who have been hurt during the course of the season.
“We are looking for a counter-attack to get a goal,” Cruz said.
Sophmore midfielder Leah Tednes (Hoffman Estates) and freshman defender Amanda Herdegen (Fremd) will both be returning to the Harper lineup after injuries. Cruz estimates Herdegen is 85 percent heathy.
Cruz is hoping Tednes can distribute the ball and help the Hawks pick up that important early goal.
“She will give us the spark we need,” Cruz said.