WNCC women fall to Iowa Western 5-0

Iowa Western Community College sophomore Chamea Palmer scored two goals and had two assists and the No. 14 Reivers blanked the Western Nebraska Community College women’s soccer team 5-0 in action Monday morning at the Landers Soccer Complex.

The Cougar women, despite getting shutout for the second straight game, played better Monday then they did in Saturday’s 5-0 loss to Western Wyoming Community College, a team that is ranked 14^th in the NJCAA national polls.

“Overall we did a lot better than the last game that we had,” WNCC sophomore goal keeper Jessica Taylor said. “I think we communicated a little bit better and we went out there and gave it our all.”

The Cougar women played a solid contest against a quality opponent on Monday. Iowa Western scored first, as Kailee Kartchner scored off an assist from Palmer six minutes into the contest. The Reivers added another goal with 20 minutes left in the half as Palmer chipped the ball into the goal off an assist from Michelle Allen.

The Cougars kept playing tough and had three prime opportunities to score as a couple shots went just high and then the Cougars misfired on a corner kick opportunity. Iowa Western came back and went up 3-0 with six minutes to play in the half on Palmer’s second goal of the game off assists from Allen and Harper Fleming.

The Reivers added to their lead in the second half as Harper had an unassisted goal just three minutes into the final 45 minutes. Allen then finished off the scoring by taking a pass from Palmer and streaking the ball into the back of the net.

Taylor said they had plenty of opportunities to score, but are just experiencing some unlucky breaks.

“I guess we do get unlucky on offense,” she said. “But, you know, if we focus and concentrate and we get just one goal in, I think we will get back into that routine of scoring goals.”

Iowa Western managed 25 shots in the contest, while the Cougar women only had seven decent shots. The Reivers also had five corner kicks to the Cougars’ two.

Taylor, who had nine saves in net, said the defense played well despite giving up the five goals.

“Defensively, we are getting the kinks worked out and we are doing a lot better,” she said. “The offense starts with the defense. We work our way through the defense into the transition on offense, and then we should get some goals.”

WNCC, 6-8-1, will have little time to reflect on the loss as they face Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., on Wednesday in a key Region IX contest. After Wednesday’s contest, the Cougar women will travel to North Platte to face the York College junior varsity on Sunday. Taylor said once they get that first couple of goals and get the confidence back, they will be back in stride.

“If we get those goals and score, we will become a team one more time,” she said. “We have the confidence, the communication and the positive attitude, and I think we will be OK once again.”