WNCC men fall to Laramie County 3-1

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College men’s soccer team played with Laramie County Community College for a half, but after that Golden Eagles picked up the pace and claimed a 3-1 Region IX victory Wednesday afternoon in Cheyenne, Wyo.

WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said that the better team won Wednesday afternoon in what was a very physical match on both the men’s and women’s side.

“I thought both teams played pretty flat and we didn’t come out with the intensity level that was necessary to win,” he said. “Unfortunately for us, I think the right teams won today. They put the effort out there that needed to be put on the field in order to win. We have to come back the next time we see them and see if we can’t change the outcome of the way we play and the effort that we put in.”

The men played a tight contest in the first half, despite the Golden Eagles controlling the tempo of the contest. LCCC struck first within the first three minutes of the match as Sam Hickman took a pass from Casey Allen and put it firmly into the net.

It didn't take long for the Cougars to even the score as the Cougars finally found a weakness in the LCCC defense. With 39 minutes to play in the first half Marcel Sales fed Jose Netto a pass and he planted it solidly into the back of the net. Both teams entered halftime tied 1-1.

The second half was all Golden Eagles as the Cougars managed just two shots on goal in the second 45 minutes. LCCC dominated play in the final 45 minutes, including getting several shots on goal to the Cougars two.

The Golden Eagles took the lead for good with about 35 minutes to play on a goal by Tyler Arbuckle with the assist coming from Gulherme Andrade. Andrade gave the Golden Eagles an insurance goal a little while later as he took a pass from Colton Cook for the score.

LCCC outshot the Cougars 23-5 in the contest.

Rasnic said the men’s team handed the Golden Eagles the match.

“I think we gave the game away. Honestly, I think LCCC outworked us to get the win,” he said. “We did not put enough effort out on the field today and we did not bring our game to the speed that LCCC was playing at.

“We came to battle but we did not come to battle hard enough. Unfortunately they will have to learn from this experience and try to regroup a little bit and get their game on in the field of play every minute of the game with the right intensity.”

The Cougar men, 1-3, will next be in action Saturday when they face Pratt Community College in Hutchinson, Kan., before taking on Cloud County Community College on Sunday in Concordia, Kan.

Region IX Standings

Team Conf. Overall

Northwest Wyoming 1-0-2 2-1-2

Laramie County 1-0-1 4-1-1

Western Wyoming 0-0-1 0-3-1

Otero Junior College 0-0-0 1-1-0

Western Nebraska 0-2-0 1-3-0

Tuesday's Games

Northwest Wyo. 2, Western Wyo. 2

Wednesday's Games

LCCC 3, WNCC 1

Friday's Games

Air Force at Otero J.C.

LCCC at Garden City

Saturday's Games

WNCC vs. Pratt at Hutchinson, Kan.

Western Wyoming at Idaho State

LCCC at Otero J.C.