https://www.gocsucougars.com/news/2024/7...st-15.aspx

As with most sports, NEC membership is the top story. Light travel in the non con is nice too, although only 5 conference games are road trips.

Not sure how good the team will be, as they have struggled in recent years. Also not sure how good NEC competition is, but I’m guessing it follows the pattern of most other NEC sports.

If Chicago State plays well, they could improve to 5, maybe 6 wins. I think that’s a reasonable expectation with who they are playing. Most would be conference wins, but it’s possible they could snag a non con as well.

Hey, we set a record for wins, and that is something. A lot of area schools before we head east, which is not a bad thing until we see where we stand in the NEC.

NEC Preseason Poll is out for women’s soccer. Cougars are picked 10th out of 11.

https://northeastconference.org/news/202...el_24.aspx

This is no surprise at all. It’s probably about the right place until they prove they belong anywhere else.

Side bar- Really anxious for the men’s soccer poll, and especially volleyball.

The first competition of 24-25 saw Cougars women’s soccer fall at crosstown rival UIC 2-0. The Flames were 5-3-2 and 4th in the Valley last season.

Another nearby MVC opponent, Valpo comes to CSU on Sunday. The Beacons were 6th in the Valley last season, and beat Chicago State 5-1.

Chicago State lost to Valpo 3-1. CSU went up 1-0. Tied 1-1 at the half. Valpo scored at the very beginning of the 2nd half and it remained a hard fought 2-1 game until the final minute, to seal it.

Good showing for the Cougars. These types of games help shape a team. Being in games is critical. Last year Valpo beat them 5-1. Very different scenario when a significant part of the game is spent in a multiple goal deficient.

Time will tell how much the team has improved.

Cougars lost to SIUE 6-1. CSU did get 6 shots on goal in the first half but could not connect on any of them. SIUE put in 3 in each half and mostly shut down CSU in the second half as they rotated in a lot of players. Chicago defense needs work.

SIUE has been to 3 NCAA tournaments since 2020 and is a very solid program though.

Unfortunately, the Cougars added another loss. It was a very nice showing though. A one goal loss to Purdue Fort Wayne this time, 2-1. Last season Chicago State beat them 1-0.

The team is off to a slow start. Last season they had a couple wins early in the season.

They couldn’t get the win, but did manage a 1-1 tie and get a point versus LeMoyne.

A tough season of women’s soccer has concluded. The Cougars defeated Delaware State 1-0 to wrap things as the NEC Tournament only includes the top 4 teams.

After opening with a string of losses, in their final 5 games they did manage a win and 2 ties, for 5 points in the league standings.

I watched most of that final match. Our ladies played well, I thought.