WESTMINSTER, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team saw its goal of a regional title evaporate Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the Region IX Tournament in Westminster, Colo.

                The No. 1 seeded Otero Junior College Rattlers, a team that the Cougars went 1-0-1 against this season, came ready to play and recorded a 5-0 shutout against the Cougars.

                WNCC coach Todd Rasnic gave credit to Otero for playing well.

                "They outplayed us," he said. "They played really well."

                The Cougars, just like the last meeting between the two teams, trailed 2-0, and only were down two goals at halftime.

                Then, Otero kicked it into another gear, recording three goals for the win.

                "We just didn't play well," Rasnic said. "We lost all the midfield battles."

                Another key was losing starting goalkeeper Sierra Benavidez in the second half to an injury.

                Still, with the loss, the Cougars had a good season. WNCC finished the season at 9-5-1 and scored 35 goals this season. Rasnic was pleased with the season.

                "We had a good season," he said. "We were down to 16 girls and we had to rearrange positions on the field."

                The Cougars will say goodbye to eight sophomores in Chelsey Keefer, Aiyanna Grubac, Isabel Hunter, Sydnee Edwards, Hannah Wilke, Rhiannon Castle, Marissa Colgrove, and Kennedy Lawes.