Kankakee claims share of 1st All-City title with 8-0 win over Bishop McNamara

Kankakee seniors Jocelyn Sanchez and Alina Mkhwanazi each score hat tricks in victory

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:04pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy, green, and red, capturing the dynamic movements and energy of a girls' high school soccer match.A cubist interpretation of the high-energy action on the pitch as Kankakee clinches a historic All-City title with an 8-0 victory.Kankakee Today

The Kankakee High School girls soccer team claimed a share of its first-ever All-City title with an 8-0 victory over Bishop McNamara on Saturday. Seniors Jocelyn Sanchez and Alina Mkhwanazi, the daughter of head coach Vincent Mkhwanazi, each scored hat tricks in the win. The Kays have emerged as a dominant force in the All-City landscape after struggling against Bishop McNamara and Bradley-Bourbonnais in previous seasons.

Why it matters

This victory represents a major shift in the balance of power in the All-City girls soccer landscape. Kankakee has gone from being dominated by its rivals to now claiming a share of the title, thanks in large part to the leadership of its veteran players and the emergence of talented underclassmen.

The details

Kankakee scored early and often, with Sanchez and Mkhwanazi each netting three goals. Freshman Yailen Torres added two more goals for the Kays, who controlled possession and limited Bishop McNamara to just 16 saves from goalkeeper Kaneyce Davis. The Kays' defense, anchored by freshman Rachel Sanchez-Aguilar, recorded its fourth shutout of the season.

  • The match was played on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • Kankakee and Bradley-Bourbonnais played to a 2-2 tie on March 27, 2026, setting up the Kays' chance to claim a share of the All-City title with a win over Bishop McNamara.

The players

Jocelyn Sanchez

A senior at Kankakee High School who scored three goals and had an assist in the win over Bishop McNamara, helping the Kays claim a share of their first-ever All-City title.

Alina Mkhwanazi

A freshman at Kankakee High School and the daughter of head coach Vincent Mkhwanazi, she also scored three goals in the victory over Bishop McNamara.

Vincent Mkhwanazi

The head coach of the Kankakee High School girls soccer team, he is also the father of freshman standout Alina Mkhwanazi.

Yailen Torres

A freshman at Kankakee High School who scored two goals in the win over Bishop McNamara.

Rachel Sanchez-Aguilar

A freshman at Kankakee High School who has helped anchor the Kays' defense, which recorded its fourth shutout of the season against Bishop McNamara.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very proud of the girls compared to those years where these teams have beaten us so much. I feel like we played with a purpose, and our purpose was just to play well. We didn't really care about the score, and the thing was just to play as a team. I think we accomplished that. We moved the ball around and played beautiful soccer.”

— Jocelyn Sanchez, Kankakee senior

“It's great, and he really pushes me to the limit. Soccer means everything to us. Where my dad came from in South Africa, that was his ticket out. Soccer is going to be my ticket, and I see it as a key and a gateway to different opportunities.”

— Alina Mkhwanazi, Kankakee freshman

“It's fun and exciting, just finding the difference between the dad role and coach role. We get to talk about games, we get to talk about improvements. It's fun to see her out there playing, and she's invested a lot of time just like everyone else. We'll see what the years have to bring.”

— Vincent Mkhwanazi, Kankakee head coach

“Right now, we've been forced into focusing on our defense. In the next couple games we get a couple key players back, and Ellen comes back, which is going to be a huge help for us offensively. I'm really hoping we can start to focus on our offensive side and start to get some goals I know we can get.”

— Dave Kruse, Bishop McNamara head coach

What’s next

With the All-City title now shared between Kankakee and Bradley-Bourbonnais, the two teams will look to build momentum heading into the postseason. Kankakee, in particular, is eyeing a second regional title in three years and will rely on its blend of experienced veterans and talented underclassmen to make a deep playoff run.

The takeaway

Kankakee's victory over Bishop McNamara represents a significant shift in the balance of power in the All-City girls soccer landscape. The Kays' ability to overcome their past struggles against their rivals and claim a share of the title for the first time showcases the program's growth and the emergence of a new generation of standout players.