MOVING ON: WOMEN'S SOCCER REACHES FIRST SEMIFINAL SINCE 2012

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

It's been a long time coming for the Northwest College women's soccer team.

For the first time since 2012 the Trapper women are moving on in the postseason after posting a 2-0 win over Otero College at home on Saturday to advance to the semifinals.    

NORTHWEST 2, OTERO 0
Heading into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed the Trappers (10-3-2) earned the right to host a game against the Rattlers (5-5-1) as the weather held off in Powell for the mid-October contest.

Northwest brought the heat early and often, and nearly found the opener just 12 minutes in when Brooke Travers had her cross tipped towards goal by the Rattler keeper off the post but it bounced away from goal and the Trappers couldn't find a tap in as it stayed 0-0.

Shortly after Travers had another near goal, when her corner kick found its way onto the post but again couldn't find a way in to give Northwest the lead.

Then Elliasen Lewis weaved her way across the frame of goal in the 21st minute, rifling in a shot from just outside the 18-yard box to give Northwest a 1-0 lead.

Just three minutes later Nayeli Aguayo had a chance to double the host's advantage, but had her close range effort cleared off the line.

Lewis had one more clear chance before the half, but yet again the Trapper chance went off the post and the score was 1-0 at halftime.

Northwest continued applying pressure throughout the second half, but couldn't get the final touch until just past the midway point of the half.

The second goal finally came when Lewis dribbled her way past the defense before squaring it across the frame of goal to Pressly Taylor who tapped it past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Northwest continued to press, and while it did not add any more to the lead, the Trappers continued to keep Otero from finding any clear chances.

Anina Gut and Juliana Hidalgo combined for the clean sheet in goal, each recording a save.

Northwest had 18 shots in the game, nine of those on target.   

SEMIFINAL MATCH
The Trappers will now head to Rock Springs for their semifinal matchup on Saturday.

That means Northwest will be taking on No. 2 seed Western Wyoming (10-6-1) at 11 a.m. with the winner advancing to the Region IX championship game. 

The Trappers dropped their lone contest 2-1 against the Mustangs at home on Sept. 14, one of two losses for Northwest in Region IX play this season.

The home season may not be officially over for the Trappers, because if the Trappers win and No. 4 seed Laramie County Community College (9-4-3) upsets No. 1 seed Casper College (10-2-3), then Northwest will host the Region IX championship game on Nov. 2.

If Northwest loses its season will be over, but if the Trappers win and Casper wins then the Trappers will head to Casper on Nov. 2. 

POSTSEASON BRACKET
ROUND 1
No. 3 Northwest def. No. 6 Otero College 2-0
No. 4 LCCC def. No. 5 Gillette College 4-0  

SEMIFINALS
(All matches on Saturday)
11 a.m. No. 3 Northwest at No. 2 Western Wyoming
11 a.m. No. 4 LCCC at Casper College 

CHAMPIONSHIP
TBD Nov. 2 at highest seeded team