(Wichita, KS) - Waubonsee Community College's women's soccer team has been chosen the number three seed for the upcoming 2021 NJCAA Division II National Tournament. Coach Brad Schlemmer's Chiefs (16-1-1), ranked fourth nationally in the final regular season NJCAA poll, are set to square off against 10th seeded Sussex County (NJ) Community College this coming Monday, November 15 in their opening match. The Chiefs and Skylanders (9-2), who are ranked 12^th in the nation, are scheduled to take the pitch at the Stryker Soccer Complex in Wichita, Kansas beginning at 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT). Waubonsee is also set to battle defending national champion Phoenix (AZ) College on Wednesday beginning at 4:00 (CDT) in their other Pool C match-up. The Bears (12-3) are seeded sixth and were ranked seventh nationally in the latest NJCAA poll. Both matches can been seen 'live' on-line at www.NJCAA.org/network for a minimal fee.

This is Waubonsee's fourth appearance at the National Tournament in the program's history, previously representing the NJCAA's Region IV in 2011, 2014 and earlier this Spring due to the 2020 season being altered by the Covid pandemic. The Chiefs have been a perennial contender for the Region IV crown, reaching the title match 12 times in the last 14 years. The Chiefs are led in scoring by sophomore forward Katie Jones who has tallied 16 goals and six assists on the season. Waubonsee's offense also features twin sisters and two-sport athletes Olivia McPherson and Kiara McPherson, who are both standout volleyball players as well. Olivia has booked 11 goals and nine assists in just 10 matches played. Kiara has 12 goals and seven assists, and scored the lone goal in Waubonsee's 1-0 win over South Suburban College in the Region IV title match.

Waubonsee's defense is anchored by keeper Isabelle Harkleroad, who has twice been named the NJCAA Division II Goalkeeper of the Week this Fall. With the assistance of defenders Amy Flores, Bailey Prichard, Lindsay Ferris, Sonia Macias, Emely Mendoza and Molly Herbig,  Harkleroad has posted eight shutouts, recorded 15 wins, and allowed only four goals all season. The Chiefs' offense also relies on a trio of other performers with Sarai Munoz contributing nine goals and 11 assists, Tsion White adding six goals and five assists, and Ferris chipping in with six goals and four assists. On the season Waubonsee has outscored its opponents 73-8 overall, while out shooting them 288-44.    

The rest of the 12-team field includes in Pool A top-seeded Heartland (IL) Community College (16-0), eighth-seeded South Suburban (IL) College (15-3) and 12^th seeded Cape Fear (NC) Community College (10-0-1). In Pool B second-seeded Jones County (MS) Community College (14-1) is the favorite, and will square off against seventh-seeded Muskegon (MI) Community College (14-3-1) and 11^th seeded Northeast (NE) Community College (17-5). Pool D features fourth seeded Pima (AZ) Community College (14-4), fifth seeded Holmes (MS) Community College (13-2-2), and ninth-seeded Southwestern Illinois College (15-5) to round out the field. The four pool play winners will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled to be played on Friday, November 19 at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The National Championship match set for Saturday, November 20 starting at 1:00 p.m. (CDT).