Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
Another weekend of tests was presented to the Northwest College men’s soccer team on Friday and Saturday at Trapper Field, as the Trappers defeated Trinidad State College 3-0 before battling in a scoreless draw against Otero College 0-0.
NORTHWEST 3, TRINIDAD 0
Returning to conference action against the Trojans (0-7-2 overall, 0-4-2 Region IX), the Trappers (2-1-5 overall, 1-0-2 Region IX) were looking for their first Region IX win of the season after two draws.
Northwest started strong, creating several opportunities early before finally putting one in the back of the net in the 22nd minute. Jack Kuspert headed home a corner to give Northwest a 1-0 lead.
Northwest had to wait until late in the half before doubling its advantage, when Hugo Antonio Garcia put one home from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.
Just a minute later, another corner kick bounced around in the box, and was put home by Luc Haller amidst a group of players to make it 3-0 just before the half.
“The nice thing is, we worked on set pieces last week, and we got two goals off set pieces which is awesome,” coach Rob Hill said. “That’s good to see a reward off that.”
Northwest continued to create opportunities in the second half, with one of the best opportunities coming from Shay Lonergan who hit the crossbar in the 59th minute.
The Trappers held off attacks from the Trojans to keep a 3-0 clean sheet and earn their first Region IX win of the season and the first official win for the Trappers since Aug. 22, following a slew of draws over the past month.
“I thought we played very well in that game and I thought we moved the ball well,” Hill said. “I was pleased with them because it’s always difficult on the men’s team to get any result. I think that again, keeping the clean sheet was critical, defending at the right moments, people putting their bodies on the line has been massive. It shows the levels of commitment from the team.”
Northwest outshot Trinidad 16-9, while both teams had four on target.
Harvey Bolland saved all seven shots on goal to keep the clean sheet.
NORTHWEST 0, OTERO 0
After the win on Friday the Trappers turned their attention to the Rattlers (3-1-2 overall, 3-1-2 Region IX), looking for a second win against a region opponent.
Early on the Rattlers settled into a strong defensive formation with five defenders looking to prevent the Trappers from getting forward and finding an early goal.
Northwest settled in and played possession, creating several chances but unable to find a goal against the stout defense of the visitors.
Northwest had a significant shot advantage heading into the break with no goals to show for it.
“I thought we were the better team in the first half,” Hill said. “I thought we dominated, we had some clear cut chances. I thought that their game plan was interesting to sit off and let us play, but we handled that really well. In other games we’ve jammed things in there, lost the ball and turned it over. I thought we were very patient in the build up and were meticulous in how we built up. I think again, we’re just missing the final product.”
Early in the second half the visitors broke out of their stronger defensive positions and started pushing forward more, earning several corners and opportunities early.
Both teams then created more opportunities as the game progressed and opened up. The best chance came late when the Rattlers hit the post, but neither team found a goal in a scoreless draw.
“I think that game was definitely up and down in terms of, we had a 10-15 minute spell, they’d have a 10-15 minute spell,” Hill said.
Bolland once again got the clean sheet in net with seven saves, while the Trappers had eight shots, six of them on target in the contest.
“Clean sheets are massive, and I think that was always going to be a very tight game with Otero,” Hill said. “Always a tough opponent, but pleased with the performance.”
DIFFICULT CONTESTS
Northwest now heads on the road for a pair of games in Casper and Gillette, starting with the Thunderbirds (7-4 overall, 2-2 Region IX) at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Trappers then head to Gillette to take on the Pronghorns (3-5-1 overall, 1-2-1 Region IX) at the same time on Saturday.
“Very tough road games this weekend coming up against Casper and Gillette, so it’s all to play for,” Hill said. “We’re very much in the hunt. We’re still undefeated in conference, so if we can nick [steal] points from the next games I think we’ll be in a very good position in the conference.”
Northwest will return home following this road trip and wrap up the regular season with three home games over the first two weekends of October before heading into the postseason.