The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team won't be scared as the get ready for their Halloween first-round regional playoff contest on Saturday.

                Instead, the team is more than ready to get going after what happened last season when Trinidad State Junior College eliminated the Cougars in the playoffs on the road.

                This year, it is a different scenario as WNCC will entertain the Trojans with the winner advancing to next week's four-team regional/district playoffs in Denver. Saturday's first kick is slated for 2 p.m. at the Landers Soccer Complex.

                WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said his team is definitely ready.

                "We are ready to go. We have been working hard this week," Rasnic said. "We had a couple slit injuries, but overall the girls look fit and ready they are ready to play. They are excited and we are looking for an opportunity to get out on the field and show everyone they are a team that can content for a Region IX title."

                WNCC is entering the contest on a bright spot, after capturing wins in its final two matches of the season in offensive fashion, topping Western Wyoming Community College 4-1 behind three goals from sophomore Rhiannon Castle and then blanking Northwest Kansas 4-0 behind two goals from Kennedy Lawes.

                "I think we have peaked at the right moment," Rasnic said. "Throughout the year we have gotten better and become more consistent with our play. I think as long as we can maintain that in the next three games, we should be sitting pretty good by the end of the year."

                WNCC enters the contest with a 7-4-1 record while Trinidad is 5-6-1. Both teams actually enter on win streaks, Trinidad on a three-game streak and the Cougars at two games. Trinidad, however, hasn't played since Oct. 16 when they tied Northwest Wyoming 2-2, while WNCC last played on Oct. 20.

                Records, however, don't mean anything and the players realize they can't look beyond Saturday's contest as Trinidad is a team that has been a thorn in the Cougar's side. WNCC fell to Trinidad last year in the playoffs. This season, the contests between the two schools have been tough. WNCC topped Trinidad 3-2 in the season opener and then won 1-0.

                "The games were close and they have the ability to score," Rasnic said. "They have the ability to play a strong, physical game with us so we will have to go out and be on our game. I mean if we aren't on our game, it will be a rough day for us."

                That is the key and that is something they have done the last two contests in starting quick. Against both Western Wyoming and Northwest Kansas, WNCC had 3-0 halftime leads. That is something Rasnic said they need to do.

                "There are certain teams that if you let them hang around in a game long enough, they will punish you for it. Trinidad is one of those teams," he said. "We have to go out with the right mentality. We have to go out front-foot, take the game over quickly, and we have to maintain that control throughout the match in order to perform well."

                It shouldn't be hard for this team to get motivated either after last year's playoff. In fact, Rasnic said the sophomores remember last year vividly.

                "I think it has been ingrained in their mind a little all week by me of the importance of this match and what it means to our program," he said. "Unfortunately, I can't get on the field and play for them. They have to go out and do the work. I fully trust they will go out and get it done."

                WNCC has the potential to score goals, too. Lawes leads the team with 10 goals and four assists for 24 points. Right behind is Castle, who has netted eight goals and three assists. Six other players have also found the back of the net, including freshmen Eden Washington with five and Janie McAmis with three. Aiyanna Gruback has chipped in two goals while dishing off four assists. Marissa Colgrove, Isabel Hunter, and Jesse Michel all have a goal.

                Trinidad State has had 11 players score this season. Alejandrina Rivas leads the team with six goals followed by Thais Dos Santos and Marinah McGinnis with three each.

                With both teams being so identical, Rasnic said it is important that his team come out with plenty of intensity from the get-go.

                "We have talked about it all week and sometimes those conversations result in positive play by the athletes and sometimes they come out flat for the first 15 minutes and it ends up hurting us," he said. "For me it will be a situation where it will be what intensity we bring early in the match."

                More importantly, the Cougars want to bring home their third regional title. The Cougars captured their first title in 2003 in the school's first year of soccer. WNCC captured its second title in 2008 when they defeated a heavily-favorited LCCC team.

                Rasnic said this team has all the potential to accomplish that goal. WNCC comes into the tournament having not lost to the No. 1 seed Otero Junior College, topping the Rattlers 2-0 on Sept. 5 and then tying the Rattlers 2-2 in October.

                "I think we have a good chance as anyone," he said. "We just need to get through this match and put us in a position to get prepared for the following weekend."

                NOTES: Because Saturday's contest is a regional tournament contest, no passes will be accepted. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. … At intermission of the match, there will also be a Halloween costume contest with prices for the youngsters. … The winner of Saturday's match will advance to play top-seed Otero Junior College next Friday in Denver. The other first round match next Friday will pit No. 2 LCCC vs. No. 3 Utah State-Eastern. The winners advance to the championship on Saturday with the champion heading to the national tournament in Florida.