SPENCER, Iowa – The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team put together a complete game and registered a 2-1 win over St. Louis Community College Saturday in Spencer, Iowa.
St. Louis came into the contest as the NJCAA Division II pre-season No. 14 team in the nation, and the Cougars showcased a solid effort in getting their first win of the season.
WNCC head coach Todd Rasnic said his team put together two complete halves to get the win.
"I think the difference is that the girls finally put in two full halves of soccer," he said. "They are learning to be more physical but finally executed the game plan for a full game and beat the No. 14 ranked St. Louis team. We have a long way to go but made progress today."
The Cougars put together two strong defensive halves, holding St. Louis scoreless in the first half and then just allowing one early second-half goal.
Offensively, the Cougars got on the scoreboard first with two first-half goals in leading 2-0 at halftime.
Nia Trevino (Greeley, Colorado) scored in the 23rd minute on a long ball that was placed over the back line and had a one-touch goal.
Ten minutes later, Julia Santos (Passo Fundo, Brazil) scored to make it 2-0 off a free kick that was started from Lilian Shindle (Greeley, Colorado) for the second goal.
After that, the Cougar defense stayed tough, allowing just one second-half goal in the 58th minute from Judit Carulla Fabregat.
WNCC goalkeeper Feline Groenwold (Groningen, Netherlands) had nine saves in net for the Cougars.
On Friday in Spencer, Iowa, the Cougars played No. 18-ranked Iowa Lakes Community College squad tough before falling 3-0. The score was scoreless in the first half before Iowa Lakes scored three times in the second half to get the win.
WNCC, 1-3, will be back in action next week with road Region IX conference contests against Gillette College on Friday and Casper College on Saturday.