ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. -- Oct. 21, 2011 – The Western Nebraska Community College men’s soccer team left everything they had on the field, but in the end, the Otero Junior College Rattlers topped the Cougars in penalty kicks during the semifinals of the Region IX playoffs Friday afternoon in Rock Springs, Wyo.
The Cougars held a 2-1 halftime lead before the Rattlers tied the contest at 2-2 in the second half. Neither team scored in the two overtime periods, setting up the dramatic shootout. In the shootout, Otero defeated the Cougars 4-2 to earn a berth in the finals.
WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said his team played well; they just came up short in the end.
“The guys battled to the end,” he said. “I am happy of how we played and we were looking for any advantage against Otero. We did all the right things today; we just didn’t finish the balls when we needed to.”
Otero got on the scoreboard first, scoring in the 23rd minute. WNCC came immediately back as Jacob Santos was fouled in the penalty box, setting up the penalty kick situation. Erwin Sanchez took the kick and found the back of the net to tie the game.
WNCC took its first lead of the contest in the 35th minute as Sanchez netted his second goal off an assist from Mark Hubbard to send the Cougars into halftime up 2-1.
Otero quickly tied the contest in the 53rd minute at 2-2. Neither team scored the rest of regulation and the two 10-minute overtime periods, setting up the shootout situation.
In the shootout, Otero made its first four shots. WNCC recorded shootout goals by Sanchez and Baboucarr Sarr, while Jose Netto and Adhemar Lino missed attempts to give the Rattlers the win.
Rasnic said that overtime period was intense.
“The overtime was back and forth,” Rasnic said. “Literally, the game was 100 percent equal on possession, on front row play. We were equal but developed better opportunities’ we just didn’t finish them. We developed shots in front of goal and did not have the composure to finish the shot. In the end, that was the difference. When you go into a penalty kick shootout, you have a 50-50 chance of winning. You can have the best PK shooters in the world and they can kick the ball wide. When you get to that point, it is like flipping a coin.”
Otero outshot the Cougars 12-7. Joey Rasnic started in net and made five saves and gave up one goal before getting injured late in the half. Jesus Alvarado finished out the contest making four saves.
Rasnic said his team still can be proud of they finished.
“For our sophomore’s last game, I thought they went out in strong fashion. All of the sophomores showed well today,” Rasnic said. “They played with heart and determination. When we talked to the guys after the game, we told them they have to remember the feeling they have right now has to carry you through all the tough times in the season. You have to realize you have to be playing at your full potential for all of your games, not just the playoffs. You just can’t magically through it at the end and expect to win the national tournament.”
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