The 2025 season marked the most successful campaign for the College of DuPage women's soccer program in nearly a decade. The Chaps reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2016, setting high expectations heading into the 2026 season as the program transitioned from the NJCAA Division II level to Division III.
Those expectations got off to a fast start Tuesday, as the Chaps opened the 2026 regular season with a 3-1 victory over the Marian-Ancilla Chargers.
DuPage wasted little time finding the back of the net. In the 13th minute, sophomore Elina Velasco scored an unassisted goal, perfectly bouncing a shot over the Charger goalkeeper to give the Chaps an early 1-0 advantage.
Just over three minutes later, sophomore Sophia Enriquez stepped up for a penalty kick opportunity and delivered, putting her attempt off the post and into the net to extend the DuPage lead to 2-0.
The Chaps continued their offensive attack in the 22nd minute, when Mariana Reyes-Sanchez found the back of the net off a setup from Enriquez, giving DuPage a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Marian-Ancilla answered with a goal just before halftime, cutting the deficit to 3-1 heading into the break.
The Chargers were unable to find the back of the net again in the second half, however, as the Chaps held on for the 3-1 victory to begin the 2026 campaign with a win.
The goalie tandem of Ariana Hernandez and Haydee Manriquez combined for ten total saves in the net for the Chaps.Â
The victory also marked a significant return to the field for Velasco and Reyes-Sanchez, who both found the back of the net in their first regular-season appearances since returning from ACL injuries. Their goals provided an especially memorable start to the 2026 campaign for two sophomores who the Chaps will look to for a spark throughout the season.
DuPage will return home for its 2026 home opener on Aug. 27 at 4 p.m., when the Chaps host Elgin Community College at Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium. DuPage defeated the Spartans 4-0 in September of last season and has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two programs.
