Goal keeper Isabelle Harkleroad and defender Amy Flores headlined a large contingent of Waubonsee Community College Women's Soccer team members who were recently recognized for their outstanding play during the Fall 2021 season. Harkleroad and Flores were both named NJCAA Division II Second Team All-Americans. In addition, Harkleroad and Flores were each named to the All-Region First Team. Harkleroad was chosen the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) Goalie of the Year, while Flores was selected as the ISCC Player of the Year.
Chiefs' forward Olivia McPherson was also named to the All-Region First Team, while her sister Kiara McPherson and Katie Jones were selected to the All-Region Second Team. Waubonsee, the ISCC Champions, had a total of eight players recognized by the league with Jones and Lindsay Ferris tabbed All-ISCC First Team, and Sonia Macias and Sarai Munoz receiving All-ISCC Second Team, and Emely Mendoza and Tsion White All-ISCC Honorable Mention. Waubonsee head coach Brad Schlemmer was selected the ISCC, Region IV and Midwest District Women's Soccer Coach of the Year.
Harkleroad, who was selected the Most Valuable Player of the Region IV Division II Tournament, was among one of the top NJCAA Division II goal keepers in the country. The sophomore registered 16 wins in net to lead the nation in that category, tying the school record for wins in a season set by Alanna Russo in 2008. The Geneva native also recorded nine shutouts and posted a school-record save percentage of .957 to rank second nationally. Harkleroad finished ranked fourth nationally in saves with 156, breaking the program's single season mark of 127 saves set by Ashlyn Turner in 2015. Her goals-against-average of 0.44 percent also set a school record, and placed her fourth nationally in that category. She allowed only seven goals all season, tying her for sixth nationally in that category, and was ninth in minutes played with 1,430. Harkleroad was named the NJCAA Division II Goal Keeper of the Week twice during the regular season.
Flores was the anchor of a Chiefs' defense that recorded 13 shutouts, tying for second nationally among all NJCAA Division II teams in that category. The Aurora Central Catholic High School product made numerous defensive stops throughout the season, helping the Chiefs post the fourth best goals-against-average in the nation at 0.55 goals per match. With Flores roaming the Chiefs' end of the field, Waubonsee allowed only 11 goals all season to tie for fourth nationally in least goals given up. The freshman was instrumental in helping hold down some of the top offensive players in the country, as the Chiefs competed against 15 of the nation's top-50 scorers during the season. Flores even scored a goal and had two assists on the season from her defensive position.
Two-sport standout Olivia McPherson went back and forth from the volleyball court to the soccer field throughout the fall. The 5'5" McPherson was an offensive force as an outside hitter for the volleyball team, and an equally potent threat on the soccer pitch. After an All-American season in the Spring where she led the nation with 26 goals in just 13 matches played, the sophomore followed it up with a dozen goals and nine assists in 12 matches this Fall. McPherson finishes her Chiefs' career fourth in both overall points with 90 and in goals with 38. Her eight game-winning goals the last two seasons were instrumental in helping the Chiefs capture back-to-back ISCC and Region IV titles, and consecutive National Tournament appearances. The Aurora West High School graduate also scored the lone goal in the Chiefs' 1-0 victory over defending National Champion Phoenix (AZ) College in Waubonsee's final match of the season.
Twin sister Kiara McPherson also juggled competing for the Chiefs' volleyball and soccer teams simultaneously, making an impact for both. The starting setter on Waubonsee's volleyball squad, the sophomore also played that role at times on the soccer field. After tying for the team lead in assists the previous season, the Aurora West High School product finished with a dozen goals scored and was credited with seven assists over 12 matches played this Fall.
Jones led Waubonsee in scoring, booking 16 goals on the season. The sophomore forward also contributed six assists and posted a team-leading 38 points, finishing in the top-30 nationally in that category among all NJCAA Division II players. A graduate of St. Charles North High School, Jones tallied four game-winning goals this Fall to tie for 22nd nationally.
Sophomore defenders Ferris and Macias were also key cogs in the Chiefs' stellar back line. Ferris, from Geneva High School, managed to score six goals and was credited with four assists while helping to control the ball all season. Macias, an Aurora West High School alumnus, tallied two goals and registered two assists as well. The due were part of a Chiefs' defense that established new program records in least goals allowed in a season and lowest goals-against-average. The 13 shutouts turned in by the defense were the second most in a season behind only the 15 booked by the 2011 Chiefs' team.
From her midfielder position Munoz helped direct much of the Chiefs' attack and also helped out on defense when needed. The sophomore from Aurora West High School finished the season with nine goals and a team-leading 11 assists. Munoz ends her Chiefs' tenure seventh in career assists with 17. A sophomore from Aurora East High School, Mendoza was another key performer in the Chiefs stellar defense. White, a freshman from Aurora West High School, contributed six goals and five assists from her midfielder position.
Schlemmer has led Waubonsee to 123 wins in his 10 seasons as head coach, going 42-13-2 in ISCC play alone, a winning percentage of 73.7 percent in conference matches. Waubonsee has won three ISCC crowns and three Region IV championships during his tenure. During Schlemmer's 13 years with the Chiefs' program overall, Waubonsee has reached the Region IV title game 11 times.
The Chiefs finished the season 17-2-1 overall, capturing the program's fifth ISCC championship and the Region IV title for the sixth time. The Chiefs' win percentage of 85 percent was the best in program history, eclipsing the mark of 84 percent (16-3-0) set in 2008. The Chiefs went 1-1 in Pool Play at the National Tournament, their fourth appearance on the big stage in the last decade. Waubonsee, along with eventual National Champion Heartland (IL) Community College, were the only other teams to finish the season with a victory. The Chiefs downed defending National Champion Phoenix (AZ) College in their final game of Pool Play action at the National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas. Waubonsee was ranked as high as third nationally during the regular season and finished ranked fourth in the final NJCAA Division II poll. As a team the Chiefs were fourth in assists with 71, fifth in total points with 219, and eighth among all Division II teams with 74 goals.
Isabelle Harkleroad Amy Flores Olivia McPherson Kiara McPherson Katie Jones
Lindsay Ferris Sonia Macias Sarai Munoz Emely Mendoza Tsion White