GILLETTE, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College men's and women's soccer teams opened the season splitting matches with Gillette College on Friday.

                The Cougar men received a second half goal by Lawan Abary in registering an intense win over the Pronghorns 3-2.

                The Cougar women weren't as fortunate, falling 2-0 to Gillette.

                The men's contest was a wild one in the first half as the teams entered the break knotted at 2-2. Andre Matzuda opened the scoring a goal just 13 minutes into the first half.

                Gillette came back with back-to-back goals in a four-minute span to take a 2-1 lead. With just under six minutes to play in the opening half, Ramses Atahualpa scored with 5:50 left in the half to knot the contest.

                After the intermission, Abary netted the go-ahead goal on a long shot for the 3-2 lead. After that, the defense took over.

                Neither team had a lot of shots. WNCC had four shots while Gillette had three.

                Freshman Viktar Kravets picked up the win in goal, providing one save while giving up two goals.

                The women's game saw Gillette score single goals in each half to get the win.

                The Pronghorns' Jess Ryan scored the first goal just 12 minutes into the contest. Neither team scored again with Gillette holding an 1-0 lead.

                Gillette added an insurance goal 21 minutes into the second half.

                WNCC managed just three shots on goal. Courtney Nelson had two shots while Morgan Smith had one goal.

                Allison Parker started in net and allowed one goal while getting a save. Jordyn Rivera was in net in the second half, getting three saves and allowing a goal.

                Both teams will be back in action Saturday when they travel to face Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming.