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Frigid temperatures took over Park County last weekend and that led to a freezing Region IX semifinal between the Northwest College men’s soccer team and Casper College on Saturday. The contest was moved to Cody due to snow, and the Thunderbirds walked away with a 1-0 victory over the hosts after an early goal in the first half. The loss signaled an end to the Trappers’ season.
CASPER COLLEGE 1, NORTHWEST 0An impressive regular season meant that the No. 2-seeded Trappers (10-5-2) got to host the No. 3-seeded Thunderbirds (9-6-4) after Northwest earned a bye for the first round.
Casper College was the aggressor early, finding its way through the Trapper defense, and Casper’s Yuto Hatayama found the back of the net to make it 1-0 just six minutes into the contest.
Northwest was able to get several chances over the remainder of the first half, which included several corners and shots, but was unsuccessful in finding an equalizer before the break.
The second half brought more of the same, with both teams finding shots and corners but unable to find the back of the net.
Casper College’s keeper Hugo Amo continued to hold Northwest at bay, which included a strong double save and an acrobatic effort to keep John Joe Mullane out with 23 minutes left in the contest.
Northwest, which has scored 45 times this season, continued to have chances, but was unable to find the finishing touch.
Casper College received a foul for a free kick with just a minute remaining right outside the Northwest 18-yard box that led to chaos around the area.
With the Trappers trying to get the official to stop the clock, Northwest’s Erick Braga was removed for vulgar language which did stop the clock with approximately 50 seconds remaining.
Casper College did not score, but Northwest was unable to find the goal once again and the contest ended 1-0.
Northwest outshot Casper College 10-7 and had more corner kicks 7-6.
The Thunderbirds advanced to the Region IX championship game which will be played in Colorado this weekend at Otero College at noon on Saturday with the winner advancing to the national tournament.
Casper College has two rostered players from Powell, which includes former Powell High School graduates Hawkin Sweeney and Garrett Morris.
Pedro Miguel Vilaca Teixeira ended the season with 10 goals to lead the Trappers and was tied for 25th in the country, while Ricardo Farias da Silva ended with eight goals and finished tied for 43rd in the nation.
There are 13 listed sophomores on the Trappers roster who will need to be replaced going forward, while there are 14 listed as freshmen or redshirt freshmen who will have the option to return.
The Trappers showed improvement this season after a 4-11-1 campaign a year ago as the team continues to build back towards the top of Region IX.