RIVERTON, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College and Central Wyoming College women’s soccer team was a vital Region IX conference match. Both teams entered the contest with no conference wins, meaning the winner would advance to the Region IX playoffs.
In the end, the Cougar women gave up just one goal but couldn’t put the ball into the back of the next themselves as the Rustlers earned the 1-0 win and a spot into next weekend’s playoffs. The WNCC women finish the season at 2-11-2 and 0-7-0 in conference play.
The Cougar women’s last win was on September 4 when they defeated Central Wyoming 4-2 at Landers Soccer Complex, but the match was not a conference game.
Saturday’s contest saw WNCC dominated play out-shooting the Rustlers 18-4. WNCC had eight shots on net while Central Wyoming all four of their shots on frame.
The one goal that mattered the most game from the Rustlers in the 38th minute when Central Wyoming found the back of the net and the 1-0 halftime lead.
WNCC had plenty of chances to score, too. Ana Caroline Lopes had five shots on goal while Raquel Ferreira, Ashley Ruiz, Vanessa Vasquez, and Vicky Granda all had one shot on frame.
Both teams had four corner kicks. Litzi Delarosa was in net for the Cougars and had three saves.
The season comes to an end for the women and they will lose several players next year, who have been at the college the last three years including Lopes, Ferreira, Delarosa, Ruiz, Jackie Valenciano. Several other players, who have been here two years, have the option of transferring after this year because of academics or returning because last season was a non-counter eligibility year because of COVID.
