NWC WOMEN WIN CONFERENCE OPENER

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

A long road trip to Utah coupled with a rain delayed home game and a road conference opener led to a busy two weeks for the Northwest College women's soccer team. 

The Trappers lost to Utah State University Eastern 6-1 on Aug. 30, defeated Truckee Meadows 2-0 Aug. 31, tied North Idaho College at home 3-3 on Sept. 3 and defeated Northeastern Junior College in the conference opener this past Friday 10-3.    

USU EASTERN 6, NORTHWEST 1
Starting out a road trip in Price, Utah, the Trappers (3-1-1, 1-0 Region IX) came up against a difficult opponent in the Eagles (2-1-1).

The Eagles got on the board early, scoring their first goal just under 13 minutes into the first half.

Northwest held off any more damage until just before the half, when the Eagles put a second on the board with three minutes left.

"We didn't give ourselves a chance because we just got out competed," coach Rob Hill said. "At half I thought we were still in the hunt."

Just over nine minutes into the second half USU-Eastern added a third.

Northwest responded just a minute later on a shot from Elliasen Lewis, giving Northwest a little spark with 35 minutes left.

Just before the 70th minute the Eagles added a fourth, before adding a fifth and sixth in the final 10 minutes to finish the Trappers' misery.

"We played better, and we created one or two good chances that we didn't put away," Hill said. "They had a lot more fresh legs than us and they just out-competed us. To be honest, the goals, I think were a bit flattering, but I still felt like it was not a good performance from us and I was expecting us to play at a higher standard."

Northwest was outshot 23-14, as Northwest put four on target to the Eagles' 12.   

NORTHWEST 2, TRUCKEE MEADOWS 0
Heading into the second day of the Utah trip the Trappers took on the Lizards (2-2-1) out of Reno, Nevada.

The Lizards had more opportunities to score in a difficult first half, but the two teams went into the break scoreless.

"We were 0-0 at half, but we didn't really string more than one or two passes together, and that was concerning because every time they set up an attack it was from us making unforced errors," Hill said.

Northwest started to move the ball better in the second half, and was rewarded with a goal by Tessa Hyland just before the 60th minute.

Lewis added an insurance goal in the 73rd minute, as a stronger second half allowed Northwest to leave with a 2-0 win.

"It was a hot day and it was tough to play, but we did create a lot of chances," Hill said. "Converted two which was fine, but I still think that there's more in the tank."    

NORTHWEST 3, NORTH IDAHO 3
Returning home on Sept. 3 the Trappers took on the Cardinals (2-1-1) where an up-and-down contest ensued for both teams.

Northwest got on the board first, when Hyland scored just two minutes into the contest to make it 1-0. 

It took nearly the entire half until the Trappers got on the board again, when Nayeli Aguayo scored with just seconds remaining to give Northwest a 2-0 lead at the break.

"We were 2-0 up but I thought they were the better passing team," Hill said. "I thought they moved the ball a bit better than us."

That led to a strong start in the second half for the Cardinals, when an attacker rounded the Trapper keeper and put it in the back of the net to make it 2-1 with 32 minutes remaining.

North Idaho got the tying goal with 21 minutes left, when a long free kick bounced around the box and was put in the back of the net.

A lightning delay followed, as the Trappers looked to regroup.

When both teams returned there were approximately 20 minutes left in the contest.

North Idaho scored with just under four minutes left to take the lead.

However, just over a minute later the Trappers answered, when Aguayo scored to tie it.

"After the break there was 20 minutes on the clock, and they actually played the best 20 minutes of soccer that I've seen all season," Hill said. "The effort was there, the mentality was there and the intensity was there."   

NORTHWEST 10, NORTHEASTERN 3
The Trappers started the conference season in Colorado against the Plainsmen (1-5-1 overall, 0-2 Region IX).

Northwest got on the board just 24 seconds into the contest, when Brooke Travers found the back of the net.

Pressly Taylor added to the lead just before the 14th minute, as Northwest turned the game into a rout.

Lewis added two goals in two minutes, and Katelyn Dandridge added another to make it five goals before the half.

Sienna Fuller scored her first goal just after the break, before Lewis completed her hat trick in the 61st minute.

Olivia Bradley added one in the 78th minute before Fuller scored two more goals in the final five minutes to complete her hat trick.

"The nice thing was that we shared the scoring throughout," Hill said. "I don't know if they [Northeastern] had an off day, but we certainly caused them a lot of problems and they didn't deal with it."

Northeastern scored three goals in the contest, but times were not noted by either team.    

HOME CONTEST
Northwest was scheduled to take on Lamar Community College on Saturday, Sept. 7, but due to field conditions the game was canceled and a decision will be made whether the game will be rescheduled.

The Trappers now return home for two weekends, starting with a contest against Western Wyoming Community College (3-4-1 overall, 2-0 Region IX) at 1 p.m. this Saturday.

"I think Western is going to be a lot tighter, a lot more pressure," Hill said. "We'll have to be more aggressive, but we can create chances. It's just whether we're first to the ball, second to the ball and have that competitive edge. I think that's the difference."