Hawkeye Wins District Title on Penalty Kicks
The Hawkeye Community College women's soccer team claimed the North Plains District championship and advanced to its first NJCAA national tournament in program history.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Soccer
Hawkeye Community College defeated Kansas City Community College 0-0 and won 4-1 on penalty kicks in the North Plains District championship on Saturday, Nov. 8. The victory improved the team's record to 15-0-1 and earned it a berth in the NJCAA national tournament.
Why it matters
The result marks the first time the program has qualified for an NJCAA national tournament, a milestone for the team and its community college in Iowa. It also reflects a season in which the Hawkeyes won the district final after a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Northeast Community College on Nov. 5.
Connie Bell has scored 22 goals and recorded six assists this fall, while Rosie Hughes leads the team with 12 assists and three goals. Goalkeeper Keira Hughes has allowed six goals in 16 appearances.
The players
Connie Bell
Connie Bell is a forward for Hawkeye Community College who has scored 22 goals this fall, and she is from Inverness, England.
Rosie Hughes
Rosie Hughes is a Hawkeye midfielder who leads the team with 12 assists this fall, and she is from Flint, Wales.
The details
Hawkeye played Kansas City Community College in Kansas City, Kan., and the match ended scoreless before the Hawkeyes prevailed on penalty kicks. Earlier in the week, the team had trailed Northeast Community College before scoring twice to win 3-2 and reach the district final.
Timeline
Nov. 5, 2026: Hawkeye defeated Northeast Community College 3-2 to reach the district final.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2026: Hawkeye won the North Plains District championship over Kansas City Community College.
Season Trajectory
The district title makes Hawkeye the first program in its history to reach an NJCAA national tournament, a step that places the team among the region's top junior college squads. The 15-0-1 record shows a season built on consistent scoring and a stable defense.
The national tournament berth means Hawkeye will face a field of top junior college teams, which affects fan travel and ticket planning. Fantasy and roster watchers should note Connie Bell's 22 goals as the team's leading scoring threat heading into the tournament.
The takeaway
A first-ever national berth is a reminder that consistent scoring and a strong defense can carry a team through penalty-kick finishes. Readers following junior college soccer should watch how Hawkeye performs against national-caliber opponents.
Further reading
For more on junior college play across the state, see Soccer coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Courier.
