WNCC women's soccer team opens season Sunday

                The Western Nebraska Community College women’s soccer team will open the season Sunday with hopes of capturing a Region IX title.

                That dream definitely can come true as the 18-member squad prepares for the season opener Sunday against the Colorado School of Mines in Denver before hosting four straight home contests in six days beginning Sept. 2.

                WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said that this team has plenty of skill to make a run for a third Region IX title. The last time the Cougar women won regionals was in 2008. Last year they qualified for districts as the Region IX runner-up.

                “They have a lot of potential,” he said. “We played some pretty tough contests this weekend. We played short a little bit and we now have this week to work out the bugs to get us back into a position where we can get organized and win some games. They should contend again for that Region IX championship. I fully expect they will turn the corner and start working at a high level and hit full stride.”

                This past weekend, the Cougars were shutout against two of the prime NCAA Division II soccer programs in not only the nation, but the RMAC in Metro State and Regis University. Regis is picked to finish second in the conference and received three first place votes, while Metro State is picked fourth. Colorado Mines, the team’s season-opening opponent, is picked to finish third in the conference.

                “When you play a couple teams that are nationally ranked and both are picked in the top four in the RMAC, you will see players that have a lot of speed, size and are physical,” Rasnic said. “Some of the ladies are not used to that, but we will be OK. I think one of the best things we can do for the ladies is show them that level; show them what it is like to be under a great deal of adversity. That will give us an idea see what kind of character they demonstrate on the field. There were moments where we were faltering this weekend, but the ladies pulled it together and had some great moments on the field.”

                The Cougar women return eight players from last year’s Region IX runner-up team. That includes four of the top five scorers from a year ago. The returners include Brittany McNeil of Milliken, Colo.; Kristi Blicharz of Littleton, Colo.; Rachelle Tekler of Kersey, Colo.; Fernanda Acorinte of Brazil; Ashley Gleason of Loveland, Colo.; Leticia Lopes of Henderson, Nev.; Quincey Jackson of Colorado Springs, Colo,; and Tiffany Snethen of Rapid City, S.D.

                Added to these eight sophomores is a freshmen group that boasts plenty of talent. They include Kelsey Newby and Ashley Baker of Centennial, Colo.; Carolina Rojas of Cupey, Puerto Rico; Adriana Torres of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico; Bridget Stanton and Breanna Smith of Longmont, Colo.; Celia Carmona of Madrid, Spain; Bailey Wenz of Gillette, Wyo.; Ariana Herrera of Grand Junction, Colo.; and Laura James of Castle Rock, Colo.

                The women have just 13 matches on their schedule. After the season opening contest against Division II national power Colorado Mines, the team will face Dodge City Community College at home on Sept. 2. The Cougars will also face Region IX opponent and No. 5 ranked Laramie County Community College twice along with an encounter with Hutchinson Community College, who the Cougars faced last year in the District playoffs.

                The Cougar women also picked up a game earlier this week when they added a game at Boulder, Colo., against the University of Colorado Gold team.

                Rasnic said the women have a tough schedule.

                “It will be a pretty grueling schedule,” he said. “We certainly feel that this year’s teams, both men and women, will be worthwhile coming out and watching. We certainly hope we can get a lot of fans out to cheer on the Cougars and help us move into a positive direction.”