If the Western Nebraska Community College men's soccer team ever needed a win, Saturday was the day to get it. The Cougars came into Saturday's on a all-time low after falling on Wednesday to Otero Junior College 4-0, and barely hanging onto a berth into the regional playoffs.
Saturday, the Cougar men were a completely different team, shutting out Western Wyoming Community College 3-0 and keeping a firm grip on a playoff berth with two Region IX games yet to play.
WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said this was a huge momentum-building win for the men's squad.
"I think momentum-wise this was a big win," Rasnic said. "But, we have to collect this win quickly and then move onto Monday against Iowa Western when we will be facing an opponent that has more depth, a bit more speed and a bit more skill. We will have to take this win for what it is.
"i visited with the guys and this is a type of game we will have to play like. We have put half efforts on the field this year and if we want to be consistent winners, we will have to bring this 100 percent game for 90 minutes every match. That is what the guys have committed to and brought us today."
The Cougar men dominated play against the Mustangs on Saturday. The Cougars wasted little time in putting the first points on the board as Christian Meyer took a pass from Kevin Lopez and put the ball firmly into the back of the net just 15 minutes into the match.
The lead stayed that way until the second half when the Cougars scored on two penalty kicks within a three minute period. Marcel Sales scored the first penalty kick in the 61st minute followed by Chris Guadarrama nailing his penalty kick in the 64th minute.
After that, the Cougar defense was stellar, limiting Western Wyoming to just nine shots on goal. WNCC goalkeeper Jesus Alvarado collected eight saves in goal, while Andrei Rodriguez also had a save.
Meyer, who scored his first goal of the year, said this win feels great and something the team needed.
"This is a really big win because we have been struggling and we needed this to get to the playoffs," the freshman from Greeley, Colo., said. "It really feels good not be shut out and to have our opponents shut out."
WNCC, 4-8 overall and 2-4 in regional play, will have little time to celebrate the win as they host Iowa Western Community College on Monday at noon. Iowa Western, who has received honorable mention votes in the national polls, fell on Friday to Laramie County Community College 3-2. The Reivers faced North Idaho College on Saturday.
Meyer said they have to continue this kind of effort on Monday.
"We have to do the same thing that we did here, but bring the intensity more," he said.
Rasnic said if his team brings the game they had on Saturday on Monday, they can pick up another win.
"Hopefully we can continue playing like this on Monday and let the results be what they are." he said. "But, if the guys are giving 100 percent on the field, that is a coach can ask for. It was an outstanding job today from the guys. hopefully we can build on this and move forward as we get closer to the end of the year."
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