The Western Nebraska Community College men's soccer team put together a strong defensive effort in recording a shutout win over Central Community College-Columbus Saturday afternoon at Landers Soccer Complex.

                WNCC's 2-0 win over Central-Columbus snapped a 3-game losing skid and gave the Cougars their first conference win. WNCC is 4-4 overall and 1-3 in conference action.

                The men's game saw all the scoring in the first half and WNCC assistant coach Henri Prieels said the men's game was a nice defensive effort.

                "I thought in the men's game we did very well at times and then we lost control some other times," Prieels said. "We just wasn't able to put in a full effort the whole game. We were giving up some control at times. But we did well enough where we didn't give up significant chances."

                While the men only scored two goals, it was the defense that really won the game for the Cougars.

                "The defense played well," Prieels said. "I also thought we had chances to score some more, but we just finish the ball."

                WNCC got on the scoreboard with 24:25 left in the first half when Daniel Matty punched in a penalty kick for the 1-0 lead.

                The Cougars went up 2-0 with 11:58 to play in the opening half when Bernardo Torres took a free kick from about 25 feet and found the back of the net for the 2-0 halftime lead.

                That was all the scoring the Cougars needed as the defense was playing tough. Both teams had 12 shots. Ruam Barbosa had five saves in net for the Cougars to get the win.

                WNCC will be back at home next weekend when they face Gillette College on Friday and then Sheridan College on Saturday.