Rock Valley successfully defends Region 4 crown
MADISON, WISC. - One year after Rock Valley College rallied past South Suburban College to claim their first Region 4 title since moving up to Division II, the same two teams met again at Madison College to decide the region's automatic entry into the national tournament. The 2024 version saw the #2-seeded Golden Eagles notched a pair of second half goals en route to a 2-0 victory over the top-seeded Bulldogs to finish the Region 4 Division II Women's Soccer Tournament. Sophomore midfielder Emma Ambrose was named the Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Kevan Watkins secured his second Region 4 Coach of the Year honor.
In a matchup of two teams in the NJCAA Division II Poll, the first half ended with a 0-0 tie despite a combined five shots on goal, four of which came from South Suburban College (15-3-2). Following one shot each in the opening minutes of the second half, Rock Valley College notched the game's first goal when sophomore forward Anika Elgin converted a Sydney Carlson pass in the 61' to put the Golden Eagles up 1-0. Just six minutes later, Elgin struck again with an assist from Ambrose that she buried in the net for a 2-0 differential. Goalkeeper Naitzy Garcia finished the match with five saves to earn the shutout win. (Recap: Rock Valley)
The decision earned Rock Valley College (17-2-1) its second consecutive berth in the NJCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships, held in Huntsville, Alabama, from November 17-23. The Golden Eagles were awarded the tournament's #7 seed and placed in Pool B with #2-seeded and #2-ranked Johnson County Community College (17-0-3) and #11-seeded Anne Arundel Community College (13-2-1). Pool play begins on November 17 at 12:30pm against Johnson County, followed by a 12:30pm match on November 18 against Anne Arundel. Pool winners advance to the semifinals on November 21.
The #7 Seed at the 2024 @NJCAA_Soccer DII Women's Soccer National Tournament. pic.twitter.com/BSJdzjjF5V
— RVC Athletics (@RVC_Athletics) November 12, 2024
(Image courtesy of Rock Valley College Athletics)
2024 Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player
Emma Ambrose - Rock Valley College
2024 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Kevan Watkins - Rock Valley College