PNW women’s soccer secured its second Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory against Judson University on Oct. 8.

The 2-1 victory was the second straight CCAC win for the Pride. PNW women’s soccer holds a 4-8 overall record and a 2-5 conference record. They are currently ranked No. 10 in the CCAC. The team is led by Shayla McNeal, junior and midfielder, who is leading with six goals. Iridiana Mendoza, senior elementary education major, is leading the team in assists and Lucie Ashmore, sophomore and goalkeeper, is leading the team with 64 saves and a .736 save percentage.

Mendoza said that the team’s recent success can be attributed to the work ethic of the team and the leadership of the newly hired head coach, Danielle Foxhoven.

“It feels great to finally get the results we have been working so hard for,” Mendoza said. “It’s really brought the team’s confidence up and the overall synergy of the team.”

Foxhoven was recently hired for the 2016-2017 season. Foxhoven was a former professional soccer player in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Foxhoven said that before the season began, the team set season and individual goals. The main goal the team set was to achieve four CCAC wins.

“We are focused on changing our mentality and not having any self-doubt,” Foxhoven said. “We need to think we can win and play with more confidence and really be the best we can be.”

The team’s first CCAC victory of the 2016-2017 season was against the University of St. Francis on Oct. 3. The team won 2-1. McNeal scored both goals for the Pride.

Mendoza said that the team is focused on winning at least two more games out of the five remaining games and qualifying for the NAIA Division II playoffs at the end of the season.

“We have been working really hard all season to accomplish this goal, and I truly believe we can do it,” Mendoza said.

Since being introduced in 2012, the women’s soccer program has not qualified for the NAIA Division II playoffs.

Foxhoven said that she is proud of the things the team has achieved so far this season and that the team learns something new from every game.

“Winning games often masks what we need to work on and losing games highlights our weaknesses,” Foxhoven said.

PNW women’s soccer will face St. Ambrose University at Dowling Park on Oct. 18.