WICHITA, Kan. – The Western Nebraska Community College men's soccer team had to brave the elements on Tuesday at the at the NJCAA national tournament, but the Cougars couldn't battle back in falling to No. 7 Indian Hills Community College 2-0.

                The Cougars finish the season at 10-6-2 and it was a history-making season as the Cougars captured the Region IX title and made the sports first national tournament appearance.

                At nationals, the Cougars battled hard but fell in both their pool play contests. On Sunday, WNCC lost 3-1 to Tyler Junior College and then on Monday to Indian Hills.

                The Cougars, however, gave Monday's contest a good try. The first half the two teams played in partly cloudy skies with strong winds. The second half saw plenty of rain combined with the fierce winds.

                The first half saw WNCC get the first shot off as Lucas Ovalle took a shot but it was blocked. Indian Hills had four shots and a couple corner kicks after that, but the Cougar defense had a brick wall up as the two teams were knotted 0-0 at halftime.

                The second half saw the weather elements deteriorate with plenty of rain with 35 or higher wind gusts going through Wichita.

                Indian Hills struck first as they scored two goals in the first six minutes of the half. The first goal came with 1:27 gone off the clock as Daniel Mulero scored. Five minutes later, Indian Hills made it 2-0 when Commni Diego Lazaro scored off an assist from Daniel Mulero.

                After that, the Cougar defense picked up its intensity and thwarted shot after shot. In the meantime, WNCC still was taking shots as well. The Cougars, who were going against the stiff wind in the second half, had a shot by Eduardo Oliveira that was saved by Indian Hills goalkeeper in the 64rd minute. Fifty seconds later, Alvaro Abeal had an excellent chance, but his shot went high.

                WNCC had a couple of other shots, but couldn't get them in the net.

                WNCC finished with eight shots while Indian Hills had 15. Indian Hills had seven corner kicks to three for WNCC.

                WNCC goalkeeper Owen Henderson had seven saves in net.

                In other results on the second day of the tourney, Harcum topped Coastal Bend in Pool A, while Eastern Florida State beat Murray State 2-1 in Pool C. Pool D saw Arizona Western top Miami Dade 2-1.