The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team had an abbreviated practice Tuesday because of weather conditions in what was supposed to be the opening practice for the women's team.
The Cougar women had a 45-minute workout Tuesday afternoon before practice was called off because of lightning. And, the Cougar women could have waited out the lightning delay, but instead the Cougar women had a team bonding session while helping out at the National Night Out that was held from 6-8 p.m. on Broadway in Scottsbluff.
Sophomore Jesse Michel of Logan, Utah, said the evening's festivities turned out to be a plus for not only the team to get to know each other, but also the community. The women's soccer team has been volunteering at National Night Out for at least the last 10 years.
"This event is a lot fun, playing with all the kids," Michel said. "Getting together with the team and it is fun being a part of the community. I feel like they give to us so we need to give back to them."
The focus of the pre-season practices is to get better as a team and to bond together. That is the focus of the next two weeks. The WNCC men and women will go through two-a-days beginning Wednesday.
"Coach talked about that [what the focus of the pre-season is] in our team meeting today and that is working super hard, staying fit because we will be running a lot," she said. "We have to make sure we are in tip-top shape. At practices we have to make sure we put in 110 percent because the harder you work, the better you will be."
While the women's team had that shortened practice because of weather, Michel said there is plenty of talent on this team.
"The first practice got rained out, but the practice was fun and we look like we have some pretty good players this year," she said. "We lost a few key players from last year, but it looks like coach brought in some players that can definitely help us out to have a great season this year."
The Cougars, who finished last season with a 9-5-1 record including many big victories, return six players from last season's team. Besides Michel, the returners include goalkeeper Sierra Benavidez of Sterling, Colorado; Janie McAmis of Belle Fouche, South Dakota; Shelby Neubert of Loveland, Colorado; and Emily Henshaw and Eden Washington of London, England.
The Cougars will also have a transfer sophomore in Janalynn McKay of Logan, Utah.
This year's women's soccer team is also bolstered by a talented freshmen class, led by Scottsbluff standouts Morgan Smith and Chloey Reifschneider. Both players helped the Bearcat soccer team to a district title and a berth into the sub-state round in May.
Other freshmen on the team include Allison Parker of Westminster, Colorado, Brittany Stratford and Marissa Dahlvang of Belle Fouche, South Dakota; Juliana Stratford of Sandy, Utah; Ana Caroline of Maceio, Brazil; Bianca Gomez of Lexington; Aspen Tremayne of Logan, Utah; Katelyn Pyle of Sterling, Colorado; and Ashley Monzalvo of Denver, Colorado.
The Cougars will have an alumni scrimmage on Saturday beginning at noon for the women and 2 p.m. for the men. WNCC will open the season for real Aug 26 and 27 when they travel to face Trinidad State Junior College and Otero Junior College to open conference play.