Women's soccer celebrates program growth, playoff debut

A historic second season continues Sunday when the Western Iowa Tech women's soccer team plays its inagural postseason match.

The Comets will play the No. 14 Iowa Lakes Lakers at 3 p.m. in Spencer, Iowa, in the first round of the Region 11 Tournament.

Head coach Eddie Vongsiprasom's team finished 7-9 overall and 5-4 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference, an elite group of teams that boasted four nationally ranked programs by season's end. The progress made in one of the most challenging environments in NJCAA was apparent long before the Comets clinched a playoff berth.

"I firmly believe that everything from this point forward is simply the team reaping the fruits of their labor. Every practice, every setback, and every victory has led to this moment," Vongsiprasom said. "The playoffs are not just a culmination of their season, but a celebration of their growth, unity, and perseverance."

In their first year as a program the Comets finished 3-13-2 overall and 2-5-1 in conference. Now they enter the postseason as the fifth-seed, behind only the four teams ranked in the NJCAA top 20.

Sunday will mark the third time the Comets and Lakers have butted heads this season. The Comets are 0-2, but relish the change to forge a rivalry against the best. 

"I welcome the opportunity to face a team for the third time, particularly one as solid as Iowa Lakes," Vongsiprasom said. "Competing against teams with such talent, regardless of the outcome, only helps us improve."

Vongsiprasom stressed the impact his sophomore class has had on the program's first two years.

"Their hard work and dedication have earned them a well-deserved spot in the playoffs, and I couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments," Vongsiprasom said. "They have come a long way. Grown into amazing people. No matter what happens from this point on, they have left a legacy here at WITCC."

The complete Region 11 Tournament bracket can be found here: https://www.iccac.org/sports/wsoc/2024-25/releases/20241023sgyptm