WNCC soccer teams defeat Western Wyoming in Region IX action

The Western Nebraska Community College soccer teams picked up Region IX wins over Western Wyoming Community College Saturday afternoon in Rock Springs, Wyo.

The Cougar men played a complete contest, registering an 1-0 win over the Mustangs. The Cougar women, on the other hand, needed double overtime before earning a thrilling 3-2 win as freshman Shaylee Williams netted the winning goal.

“The women’s was a good game,” WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said. “We got up by two goals and then the Rock Springs altitude set in. But Western Wyoming is a good team and I have said that all along. They have the potential to be a very good team.”

On Saturday, the Cougar women were the better team. Brooke Dudley scored the first goal off an assist by Ana Jacobo four minutes into the contest.

WNCC went up 2-0 as Jacobo collected her second assist of the match as the freshman from Aurora, Colo., found Ashley Quintana with the goal. Keah Brost also was involved with an assist on the goal.

Western Wyoming sliced the lead in half in the 43^rd minute as both teams entered halftime.

The Mustangs tied the came at 2-2 in the 50^th minute. Neither team could score the rest of the half and the first 10-minute overtime. Then, with 1:27 gone in the second overtime period, Williams crossed in front of the net and took a pass from Quintana for the game winner.

WNCC outshot the Mustangs 7-5. WNCC goalkeepers Terri Huntington had one save in net, while Andrea Burger had two saves.

The men’s contest was also another heart-stopper. This time, the Cougar men didn’t give up an early goal like they have the past couple of matches. Instead, the Cougar men scored first, as Lazzaro Torres recorded an unassisted goal in the 36^th minute. That was all the scoring there was as the Cougar defense held strong throughout.

WNCC goalkeeper Cesar Bazana had four saves in net, and the Cougars outshot the Mustangs 6-4.

“The men made a decision to play together,” Rasnic said. “I think from now on you will see a team that comes out and plays together.”

Both teams, in fact, needed the wins after coming off of losses to Laramie County Community College on Tuesday.

“These were badly needed after dropping the two games on Tuesday,” Rasnic said. “We really needed to win these for confidence.”

The Cougars will be back on the field to try to make it two in a row today when they host Dodge City Community College at the Landers Soccer Complex. Women’s action tips off at noon, while the men’s match goes at 2 p.m.

After Sunday, the women will have one more match left before regionals when they travel to Hesston Community College. The men will have to more contests as they face Hastings College and Hesston.