Jayhawks ready to continue ‘crazy’ journey to nationals
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It's already been a dream season for the Jamestown Community College women’s soccer team as they prepare for the NJCAA Division III Tournament.
"It's been crazy. It's been incredible," said sophomore goalkeeper Angel Busch. "I don't think anyone thought this was possible. Our goal was to win five games, and we've made it this far. It is pretty great."
The Jayhawks won their fifth game of the season Sept. 19 to improve to 5-0-0.
"I think a lot of us went into this season looking at it as a stepping stone year to eventually get here, but no one thought it would happen this quickly," said freshman midfielder Gracie Chimera.
Crazy, maybe. Historic for JCC, absolutely. The Jayhawks' 12 wins are a program record, and this squad is on pace to set a team-high for goals scored per game and the fewest goals allowed in a season. Most importantly, they're the first JCC women's soccer team to win a regional championship and advance to nationals.
"I think it is literally crazy," said sophomore forward Sarah Kruszka. "I don't have any other words for it. Seeing the banner in the gym, and it was empty, and now we're the first year to put it up there. That is something I'll tell my kids about. We did that."
"We have always joked that we will be the first team on the banner, and now we made it true," said freshman defender Kennady Ellsworth. "This has been one of my favorite years playing soccer ever."
All the accolades are deserved, but it begs the question: How did the Jayhawks flip the switch so quickly? The players point to their first-year head coach, Sarah Chimera, who brought together a collection of familiar talent she has known and coached for years throughout the Jamestown region.
"I knew going into the season, I knew I was playing with girls I grew up playing with," said freshman forward Mary Lundmark. "I was playing for a coach that I've known for 10 years. I knew we'd be a good team with all the chemistry we have together, but this has been crazy."
"A lot of us have chemistry, so it worked from day one," said sophomore forward Kaylyn Carnes. "When we all got together, I don't know how to explain it, when we're on the field that chemistry really shows. We all blended in really nicely."
While the Jayhawks have already accomplished more than most expected, they aren'tt satisfied with just earning a spot in nationals, which begin for Jamestown CC today at 11 a.m. The ladies are grinding through practice to hit the snooze button on this dream for a few more days.
"Lock in," said freshman defender Madilyn Seastrum. "We have to give it all we've got in these final practices."
Now, the seventh-seeded Jayhawks turn their attention to No. 2 Dallas-Brookhaven in the opening round of the tournament. The players agree that it will take a total team effort to earn a spot in the championship game Sunday.
"Honestly, just perseverance and giving 110% the whole game is all we can ask for," Ellsworth said. "No matter what the result is, if we give it our all, that’s all we can ask."
"We have to take it one game at a time. Get through each game and give it all we can, like it is our last," Seastrum said. "I feel like that is a lot of what we are thinking and playing at 100%."
"Play together as a team. I think that is how we have gotten here in the first place," Gracie Chimera said. "We have had really good chemistry and worked really well together, and being composed."
"It feels great," said freshman forward Avery Johnson. "You just feel loved, and you go to a game and see all those people on the sideline; you feel appreciated and seen. I think that is what we needed to accomplish what we have."
"It's kind of like a fever dream. The fact that everyone has supported us as much as they can and getting people to games," Ellsworth said. "The game that was here on Falconer’s turf (Region 3 semifinal) was the most electric environment I've ever been part of."
"It's been really, really cool to watch the community support us, especially since there wasn't a women’s team last year," Gracie Chimera said. "It has been really nice."
The ladies take the pitch in Batavia on Thursday at 11 a.m. With a win, they play in the championship semifinal on Friday at 4 p.m. A loss doesn’t end the campaign; Jamestown CC could also play Friday at 11 a.m. to close the season.