The Illinois Wesleyan flag football team opened their season on March 8, 2026 at the Chicago Bears Flag Football Invitational. That weekend the team brought home their first pair of wins in program history, which built up the excitement for Titan fans to see the new team play in person. After two more weeks on the road, the team hosted their first double-header home opener against Benedictine and Illinois College on March 28, 2026.
The almost entirely first-year roster has been hard at work in practice since the beginning of the school year under Head coach Melissa Valenzuela and assistant coaches Kelly Carlson and Andre Rimmer Sr.
Coach Valenzuela said that the team’s progress this year has been challenging, especially with such a young roster. They’re adapting to college itself, and also becoming a student athlete.
“They show up every day, resilient in their effort, with perseverance to overcome adversity, and with deep trust in the process. It’s amazing to see their growth,” Valenzuela said.
Besting the Benedictine 39-0, IWU held control over the Eagles from the get-go. First-years Emma Caniglia, Deanna Cirebea and Lily Greenfield combined for five touchdowns and Cirebea tacked on two points with a safety in the first quarter.
Quarterback Caniglia led the team in passing yards with 205, contributing to four touchdowns. She also led in rushing yards with 80, and supplied the fifth touchdown.
The second game against Illinois College proved to be more of a challenge, but nothing the Titans couldn’t handle. IWU handled the Lady Blues 26-13, with Caniglia leading the charge again. With their first touchdown in the second quarter, the Titans maintained their lead for the entire game.
Caniglia once again led in passing yards with 202, including two passing touchdowns to first-years Cirebea and Maylin Nuez. She also snagged a pick-six in the third quarter, and sealed the deal for IWU with a rushing touchdown in the fourth.
“Emma is a warrior. She will consistently push herself to do whatever it takes to be a better athlete,” Valenzuela said. “Her progression in this sport has been quick, particularly in her ability to read defenses and as seen in the games, she can shred them with her speed. I’m glad she’s on our team because I wouldn’t want to compete against her.”
Valenzuela also wanted to bring attention to first-years Layah Glover, Lily Greenfield and Natalyia Stallings.
Valenzuela said Glover, a wide receiver and defensive back, is instrumental on both sides of the ball.
“She has the ability to find open space on offense and to snatch any football out of the air on defense,” Valenzuela said.
Valenzuela said Greenfield is relentless on offense and can break through another team’s defense easily. She said Stallings has grown immensely in the sport and had become very versatile throughout her first season.
The two games brought about 100 enthusiastic fans to the stands of Tucci Stadium. Valenzuela said she has received nothing but positivity from all parts of the IWU community since the flag football program began.
“All season, I have been approached by students, administrators, professors, alumni and coaches. I get high-fives and great sentiments daily just walking through campus,” Valenzuela said. “They have all rallied around our success and growth.”
The flag football team will compete in six more games this season, and Valenzuela already has her sights set on the future. She said the team is not done making history after this year.
“I have felt purposeful and overjoyed by what we are building here. It is a historic season, with many firsts and many more to come,” Valenzuela said. “We are on a journey to build a winning program for many years to come.”
