WNCC men fall to Cloud County 2-0

The Western Nebraska Community College men's soccer team couldn't get their offense untracked against a talented Cloud County Community College team in falling to the Thunderbirds 2-0 in action Tuesday at the Landers Soccer Complex.
               The Cougar men were outshot 13-6 in the contest and had just two shots in the second half in falling to the Concordia, Kan., team.
               "I thought we played OK. We really, through the middle and the final third of the field, didn't get a lot going today," WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said. "We didn't adjust to the style of defense they were playing so we found ourselves in a bad situation trying to get behind their backs.
               "We made some adjustments at halftime and thought we might get some more success using a different style of attack, but unfortunately we weren't able to get some goals in. It is a 1-0 game really because we gave them the second goal."
               Cloud County's Luke Huggett scored both goals for the Thunderbirds. the first came with 25 minutes left in the first half as Huggett took a pass from Pedro Miranda for the first half goal. The Cougars held their own the rest of the way, trailing 1-0 at intermission.
               WNCC had a prime scoring opportunity in the second half as the Cougars had their first shot of the half with 21 minutes off a free kick, but it went high. The Cougars, however, kept Cloud County in check, giving them a chance to tie the contest. That was all erased with 8:55 to play when Huggett scored his second goal to put the Thunderbirds up 2-0.
               "Overall I thought the guys played with more intensity and heart today and that is what I was looking for," Rasnic said. "I thought they showed determination today and at moments they showed quite a bit of skill. We are still in a process of putting it all together. We have a couple more games to put it all together and hopefully we will get to a point where we can play with these teams. Cloud County is a solid team. They are ranked nationally."
               Joey Rasnic started in net for the Cougars, giving up a goal and making three saves. Jesus Alvarado went the second half in goal, allowing a goal and making five saves.
               WNCC will be back in action Wednesday when they travel to Sterling, Colo., to face Northeastern Junior College in a Region IX contest at 2 p.m. The contest can be heard live on the Internet at www.ihigh.com/bigtimesmalltown or at sports.wncc.net.