Moraine Valley men's soccer all a-glow from successful 2015

Success was inevitable for the 2015 Moraine Valley Community College men’s soccer team. Between the dependable 11 returning sophomores and talented recruited freshmen, this group was destined to turn heads this season. And they did.

First the Cyclones accrued a 6-0-1 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference record before taking the championship—something they hadn’t done in 10 years. Then they defeated nationally ranked Kennedy-King College, which gave Moraine Valley their first loss earlier in the season, in the NJCAA Region IV quarterfinals. By season’s end they boasted a 14-2-1 overall record with several players earning honors.

The Cyclones ended their run in the region semi-finals in a tough 4-2 loss to Morton College, but that couldn’t damper the exciting season.

“It felt really good to win conference after a 10-year drought, especially the way we played—very high technical quality. We looked good winning. We were not just lucky,” said Coach Chuck Bales, who finished his 16th year leading the team.

Going 12 games before their first loss was impressive and the most surprising part of the year. “I didn’t expect to be undefeated for so long because I’m wary of that. That first loss was what we needed to get our heads straightened on,” he said.

The talent of the returners plus newcomers was a huge asset to their winning ways. “The returning sophomores were phenomenal, and they were all starters or had substantial playing time. We had a huge group returning, which is a testament to the program. We also had top-notch freshmen,” Bales said. “Their mental ability to overcome hurdles and off-field drama as well as their very high technical ability—probably the best I’ve had—were key.”

It’s difficult to point out any key players because they all worked hard and were close-knit. However, several of them earned honors. Sophomore Michell Corona (Garcia Charter) was named Skyway Conference Player of the Year while getting nods to the All-Conference and All-Region teams. Sophomore goalkeeper Alan Garcia (Sandburg) was out with an injury most of last season, but showed his stuff this year and was named the top keeper in the region. He also earned nods to the All-Region team along with freshman Elias Leyva (Addison Trail); both were additionally on the All-Conference team. Leyva was the leading scorer for the Cyclones, amassing 16 goals. Other players making the All-Conference team were sophomores Alex Alvarez (Kennedy), Tom Nie (Sandburg), Giovanni Sanchez (Eisenhower), Przemyslaw Tylka (Sandburg), and freshmen Erick Carrasco (George Washington) and Daniel Navar (Morton). Bales was named Skyway Coach of the Year.

The competition will be tougher next year, and Bales has some recruiting to do since a chunk of his team is moving on. But he is hopeful for future success. “Signs and rumors are that we will have some top talent joining us next season,” he said.