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NEWS: GREAT RIVER DIVISION CHAMPION CROWNED

Published Jun 27, 2025

Photo by Ralph Shudel

COLUMBUS EAGLES FC CLINCH GREAT RIVER DIVISION TITTLE

Columbus Eagles FC captured the Great River Division title Sunday with a 4-0 home win over Greater Toledo Futbol Club last Sunday.

Kaelyn Valleau (Ball State University 2023- ), Alivia Milesky, Allie Metcalk (UNC Charlotte 2024- ), and Jazlyn Brooker (Ohio Wesleyan University 2022- ) scored goals in the club’s home finale. The match capped an incredible season for the 8-0-0 Eagles that kicked off the season with an incredible offensive feat from two-time Player of the Week, Nikki Cox.

Facing the Preseason No. 2 ranked team in the nation, FC Dayton, Columbus came out firing on all cylinders to open the 2025 season. Up 2-0 at halftime thanks to two sublime goals by last year’s leading scorer, Cox, the Eagles steamrolled on to a 4-1 win that included a Cox hat trick and would be indicative of the season to come.

The next week Cox scored her second consecutive hat trick of the season in a 5-1 home win, and she scored again two days later in the Eagles’ 2-1 win at Beadling Soccer Club. Beadling’s 30th minute goal that leveled things at 1-1 was the last goal Columbus surrendered the entire season as it rolled to a perfect 8-0-0 record as it ran away with the Great River Division title.

“The club appreciates the accomplishment, however what it means to our players is more important than what it means to the club, Mark Wise, Columbus Eagles FC founder and CEO, said. “Our players work hard and deserve the accolades that they earn. We are so appreciative that these talented players choose to play for the Eagles.”

Columbus led the division in statistics at both ends of the field. Led by Cox, a Golden Boot candidate for the second year running with nine goals on the season, Columbus tallied 26 goals in eight games. Along with Cox, an additional 12 players added at least one goal to the season tally.

On the defensive end, the stalwart back line allowed only three goals all season. In goal, Celeste Sloma (Ohio University 2022- ) made six starts posting three clean sheets for a .5 goal against average. Chole Brecht (Butler University 2024- ) closed out the season starting the final two matches of the regular season without giving up a goal.