The Marshalltown Community College men's soccer team have enjoyed a successful regular season going 12-2 and defeating Northeast Community College in the Region XI Quarterfinal on Saturday. The ICCAC is in its first year under the new tournament format, now only allowing six teams in to play. With the first round of the tournament completed, the Tigers have a tough test remaining. This is a review of the four remaining teams still chasing a Region XI Tournament Championship.
No. 1 Seed Indian Hills Community College
Indian Hills Community College soccer team is currently ranked ninth in the latest NJCAA national poll. The Warriors were able to capture their first ICCAC regular season title behind their star forward Akean Shackleford who currently has 52 career goals for the Warriors. While the Tigers defeated the Warriors in the regular season, after losing to Iowa Western, the Warriors claimed the top spot in the conference.
No.2 Seed Iowa Western Community College
Iowa Western Community College is currently ranked eleventh in the latest NJCAA national poll. A perennial powerhouse in the ICCAC, the Reivers were coming off 4 straight ICCAC championships and a 2013 National Championship. With the Tigers defeating Northeast Community College on Saturday, the two will compete for a chance to advance to the Championship game. The first matchup saw the Reivers score in the opening minutes and held off the Tigers the rest of the game to come away with a 1-0 victory.
No. 3 Seed Marshalltown Community College
Marshalltown Community College is currently ranked twelfth in the latest NJCAA national poll. With a mid-season loss to Iowa Lakes Community College and the loss to Iowa Western, the Tigers find themselves in third place in the conference. For the first time in two years, the Tigers and Reviers will not meet in the final but in the semifinals. Led by forward Kino Ryosuke who is second in the ICCAC with 23 goals this season, the Tigers will look to avenged their earlier loss and get back to the championship game.
No. 4 Seed Iowa Central Community College
The 12-3 Tritons of Iowa Central Community College advance to the semifinal against Indian Hills after defeating an 8-7 NIACC team on Saturday. With its only three losses of the season coming from the three top ICCAC team, the Tritons may be the dark horse in this year's tournament. The Tritons consistently play close games as five on the six conference wins have come by one goal.
The Region XI semifinals will take place Tuesday Oct 31 as Iowa Central Community College will travel to Ottumwa to take on Indian Hills at 2:00 pm and Marshalltown Community College will travel to Council Bluffs to take on Iowa Western Community College at 2:00 pm. The winners of these two semifinal machups will go to Cownie Park in Des Moines to play for the Region XI Final with the winner advancing to the NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championships.
