Your future, our focus
Sheridan 6, Lady Trappers 0
Gillette 2, Lady Trappers 0
The Lady Trappers (0-9-1, 0-6-1) opened play on Friday against Sheridan College (3-4- 1, 3-2-1), 9-0 winners against NWC earlier this season at Trapper Field. Playing the Lady Generals on their home field, NWC head coach Bobby Peters said the game was much more competitive, despite the 6-0 score.
“We had a gameplan coming into Sheridan, and unfortunately, we didn’t execute on it,” Peters said. “The girls were upset about it, but they fought hard. It wasn’t an effort thing. They’re [Sheridan] a good offensive team, and if you give them an inch, they take a mile.”
Minor mistakes against the Lady Generals turned into major opportunities, as Sheridan’s Chezney Mamalis beat NWC’s Kenadee Jenkins for a goal in the game’s fifth minute for a quick 1-0 lead. Hannah Ozman and Kristen Franke also scored in the first half, making the score 3-0 at the midway point.
“It was a matter of someone not covering back in their lane and giving the ball away in the wrong zone [that] ended up costing us a goal,” Peters said. “We were trying to limit the attacking options and then counter-attack and try to get a goal. It didn’t work out for us; there wasn’t much we could do when we went down a goal or two. Sheridan’s a good squad, and we knew it was going to be a struggle the whole game. They just match up very well with what we have to offer.”
The Lady Generals scored three more goals in the second half to make the final 6-0. Jenkins was kept busy in net playing for an injured Christina Lacek, and Peters said the sophomore had a solid weekend.
“It was Kenadee’s first game back in the goal, she stepped in and did really well,” he said. “I think against Gillette she allowed two goals on 20 shots, which is not a bad percentage at all.”
Against Gillette Saturday, Northwest was again the victim of an early mistake that led to a Lady Pronghorns goal in the game’s opening minutes.
“There was a giveaway in the wrong spot, and their first goal was scored on a free kick,” Peters said. “But Gillette’s second goal didn’t come until the final minute of the game. we were pushing forward, trying to get some shots going and they caught us.”
Peters said he was happy with how the Lady Trappers played overall and that the team did a much better job creating scoring opportunities. In the end, it came down to Gillette being able to capitalize when the Lady Trappers couldn’t.
“They [Gillette] capitalized and we didn’t, that was the tale of the game,” he said. “It was one of those where I was very proud of the girls — they’ve put a lot of time and effort into improving this season. They battled all the way through, and I’m excited to go forward.”
Peters said there were many solid performances over the weekend, in addition to Jenkins’ play in net. Sophomores Brandi Bedes and Kayla Atkinson continue to provide veteran leadership, and the freshmen duo of Genevieve Sauers and Jules Novakovich can always be counted on to play hard.
“Brandi [Bedes] is very talented, she’s one who can go on and play at the next level,” Peters said. “She’s a playmaker, she defends very well. Kayla [Atkinson] has been playing a position recently she hasn’t played before at center back, and did really well these last two games.”
The Lady Trappers travel to Cheyenne this weekend to take on Laramie County Community College, 6-0 winners over NWC in the teams’ previous meeting. The Golden Eagles are undefeated in conference at 4-0 and ranked No. 12 in the nation.
“LCCC is going to be a tough one as always, but if we sit in and play our game, play smart and make the right passes, we should be able to compete,” Peters said. “We need to not give them opportunities, and that’s really what we’ve struggled with. I’m hoping we can get some results these final four games.”