Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
A long road trip, a delayed home game and a far away conference opener left the Northwest College men’s soccer team searching for a win after a frustrating two weeks of action.
The Trappers drew with Utah State University Eastern 1-1 and Truckee Meadows 0-0 on a Utah road trip on Aug. 30-31, before losing to North Idaho at home 1-0 on Sept. 4. Northwest then went on the road to Colorado and earned another draw 2-2 against Northeastern in its Region IX opener.
NORTHWEST 1, USU EASTERN 1
Starting out in Price, Utah, the Trappers (1-1-4 overall, 0-0-1 Region IX) matched up with the Eagles (0-3-1), in search of a win to start the road trip strong.
Neither team scored in the first half, but it was the Trappers on the back foot after Luc Haller received a red card in the 57th minute.
The Eagles got a goal in the 77th minute to make it 1-0.
Northwest responded very late, as Enrique Matrinez Collado scored with just two minutes left to salvage the 1-1 draw.
“They [USU-Eastern] were relentless,” coach Rob Hill said. “They were a team with a lot of intensity, but I thought we played some very good soccer. I thought that everything was there but finishing unfortunately. We went down to 10 men, I think this is again, a big learning moment for some of these freshmen.”
NORTHWEST 0, TRUCKEE MEADOWS 0
Continuing the road trip in Salt Lake City, the Trappers took on the Lizards (2-2-1) out of Reno, Nevada.
From the jump the Trappers were able to create chances, but the finishing was not there once again.
“I thought we outplayed Truckee in every phase of the game,” Hill said. “We could have been 5-0, 6-0 up. Everything but the finish. We hit the crossbar twice, we hit the post, their keeper made some amazing saves. But again, it’s all about putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Northwest was unable to find a winning goal, as the two teams finished with a scoreless draw.
NORTH IDAHO 1, NORTHWEST 0
Returning home to start September, the Trappers took on the Cardinals (6-0), in a match that was originally scheduled for Sept. 3 but was delayed until Sept. 4 due to inclement weather.
North Idaho came out and applied pressure throughout the full 90 minutes, finding the lone goal with just 13 minutes left on the clock.
“We were humbled,” Hill said. “We were just outworked. I also felt like they were more hungry than us … I think a little bit of humble pie was eaten today by the players.”
Northwest was only able to muster six shots on goal while North Idaho finished with the close win.
NORTHWEST 2, NORTHEASTERN 2
Heading down to Colorado on Friday, the Trappers took on the Plainsmen (1-1-2 overall, 1-0-1 Region IX) in their Region IX opener.
Northwest once again was able to create chances early, but couldn’t convert.
The Plainsmen took advantage of the Trappers’ misfortune, capitalizing on their opportunities and taking the lead in the 14th minute and scoring again in the 34th minute to make it 2-0.
“It’s unbelievable the amount of chances we created, and they had no chances other than a set piece and a second ball,” Hill said. “It was very frustrating. We were one-on-one with the keeper twice, and we couldn’t execute several other opportunities.”
Northwest got its first goal in the second half in the 52nd minute by Harry Mayhew, and Joe Hughes provided the second in the 70th minute to help earn the draw.
However, Hill felt the Trappers could have pulled off the comeback in the end.
“We continuously show great quality, but we’ve got to be more clinical,” Hill said. “I think sometimes it’s just about having composure in front of the goal and I think that’s where we’re lacking … I think somebody’s in for a big hurt when it finally clicks, because this team has a lot of talent. If they learn to finish and not concede silly goals, we’re going to be very, very strong.”
NON-CONFERENCE MATCHUP
The Trappers were originally supposed to take on Lamar Community College in a Region IX game this past Saturday, but due to poor field conditions as determined by the officials, it led to the game being postponed. A decision is yet to be made on if it will be rescheduled.
Northwest will stay in Wyoming this week, making a quick trip over to take on the Rustlers (1-3 overall, 1-1 Region IX) in Riverton for a non-conference matchup on Friday.
“I think we’ve had more draws this season than probably the last three combined,” Hill said. “They’ll be a tough opponent away. They always are, they cause problems … They’ll be a tough opponent for us but I’m looking for us to finish our chances basically.”
Northwest will return to Powell next weekend, Sept. 20-21, to take on Trinidad State and Otero College.