SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The South Suburban College (SSC) Women’s Soccer Team experienced their most successful season to date with an appearance at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament. Following this competition, one SSC student-athlete went on to be named First Team All-American by the NJCAA DII Women’s Soccer Committee.
After defeating the Sea Devils of Cape Fear Community College 4-2 in the national tournament on November 16, the Lady Bulldogs came full circle as they faced the Hawks of Heartland Community College (HCC). The SSC Women’s Soccer Team fell to the Hawks 4-2 in their first game of the regular season on August 20. Although the Lady Bulldogs put their best foot forward on the field, they came up short to HCC on November 17 with a 4-1 loss, thus eliminating them from further tournament play this season. The Hawks of Normal, IL pressed on to inevitably win the 2021 NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship.
“The first and last day of the season, I tell my student-athletes: God always gives you what you earn. Nothing less, nothing more,” said SSC Head Coach Tony González, who began coaching the Lady Bulldogs Soccer Team in the fall of 2017. “This year we received a bid to play in the national tournament and won our first match. When you reach the goal of having your school be seen at a national level, it brings credibility to the athletic program.”
The only other losses for the Lady Bulldogs during their 2021 season were to the Chiefs of Waubonsee Community College on October 23 (4-0) and November 6 (1-0). The SSC Women’s Soccer Team tacked 16 wins onto their record against all other opponents, including an exceptionally commendable 13-game winning streak during the regular season.
Coach González added, “A lot of the girls on our soccer team are first-generation students. The experience of going to college and playing soccer at a national level can be life-changing for the student-athlete and their families. I want to keep that momentum going.”
One of the leading forces behind the success of the Lady Bulldogs was Amaris González, who happens to be Coach González’ daughter. The freshman forward’s outstanding field play earned her recognition as First Team All-American. González scored four goals in two national tournament games, including a hat-trick against Cape Fear. She also led the division with 105 points, 118 shots and 29 assists on the season, and finished second in goals with 38.
“I am so thankful to be able to play alongside such a talented team,” said Amaris González of Lansing, IL. “They helped guide me to get to where I am now as a student-athlete. I would not have experienced any accomplishments this season had it not been for every single one of the girls on the soccer team at SSC.”
For more information about the SSC Women’s Soccer Team, contact Head Coach Tony González at jgonzalez@ssc.edu or Athletic Director Steve Ruzich at sruzich@ssc.edu. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.
