COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Western Nebraska Community College men’s and women’s soccer team learned what it takes to be a championship team after facing ranked Indian Hills Community College Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Cougar men faced the No. 7 Indian Hills and allowed three goals each half before falling 6-0.
Indian Hills, who moved to 4-0 on the season, scored three times in the first half as Santiago Cardenas scored in the 20th minute. Five minutes later, Lucas Bauer made it 2-0 and in the 37th minute, Jonatan Sundin scored for the 3-0 halftime lead.
Indian Hills scored just four minutes into the second half on a goal by Diego Lazaro to make it 4-0. After that, the Cougars played strong defense as neither team scored in the next 21 minutes. Indian Hills added two late goals for the final 6-0.
WNCC had three shots in the contest compared to 17 for Indian Hills. Owen Henderson has six saves in net.
In the women’s contest, WNCC battled Indian Hills in the first half trailing just 1-0 at halftime. It was the second half that was the difference as Indian Hills score four times for the 5-0 final. It was the first all-time meeting between the two schools.
Indian Hills scored in the 23rd minute off a goal by Alexia Bru off a penalty kick for the 1-0 lead. That is where the match stood at halftime.
The second half saw Indian Hills score in the 60th minute by Rachel Okoro. Eight minutes later, the Warriors scored again on a goal by Lina Kaabeche followed by late goals by Arnicka Louis and Maika Nchana for the 5-0 win.
Emily Villagomez had 10 saves in net for the Cougars. Indian Hills had 20 shots in the contest to zero for WNCC.
The Cougar women and men will be back in action Wednesday when the two teams travel to Utah to face Snow College. The WNCC women will then have a Region IX contest on Friday against Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
