POWELL, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College and Northwest College men's and women's soccer teams battled in two close contests with different results.

                The Cougar men fell behind 3-0 before coming back to earn a 3-3 double overtime tie with the Trappers in a Region IX North conference match.

                The Cougar women, who traveled with just 12 players, struck first before falling 2-1 to the Trappers in a Region IX conference match.

                WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said the men's contest was an incredible contest in the way his team played in coming back to get the tie.

                "This was an unbelievable match," Rasnic said. "Bryant Velasquez was stellar in net."

                Velasquez and the rest of the team had to be stellar in the second half and overtime to register the tie against Northwest.

                Northwest scored first on a penalty kick where Rasnic said Velasquez initially made the save but the kicker got the rebound and put the ball back into the net.

                The Trappers went up 2-0 on a free kick from around 18 feet out and led 3-0 at halftime after one of the Trappers went up the middle to score.

                The second half proved to be all Cougars as they picked up the pace. Gering's Travis Mundell scored the first goal as Rasnic said that he beat a guy and shot the ball and scored into the far post.

                Lawan Albary picked up the second goal to cut the lead to 3-2 and then with about four minutes left in regulation, Gage Smith tied the match with a goal.

                Neither team scored in the two extra 10-minute periods.

                The women's contest was also a battle. Rasnic said because of injuries, he traveled with just 12 players while Northwest had 18 players. Still, the Cougar players played with plenty of heart.

                The Cougars and Trappers didn't score in the first half. WNCC's Eden Washington finally broke the scoreless game in the second half with a goal. WNCC couldn't hold the lead as Northwest scored two goals to steal the win.

                Rasnic said his team outshot the Trappers, but just couldn't finish in the close game.

                Both teams will return home for three matches next week to close out the regular season. WNCC will host Laramie County Community College on Wednesday before hosting Western Wyoming Community College on Friday. The Cougars will then have their regular season final match on Saturday when Northeastern Junior College comes to Scottsbluff.