LA JUNTA, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team had their season come to an end in the first round of the Region IX tournament, falling to Otero Junior College.

                The No. 2 seed Rattlers scored three first half goals and never looked back in posting the 4-1 win over the Cougars. Otero advances to the final four next weekend in Denver, while the Cougars end their season with a 2-11-4 record.

                Saturday's contest was a matter of the Cougars starting slow. Otero scored two goals in the first seven minutes and a third with 11:45 to play in the first half.

                Between the second and third goal, though, the Cougars did play better only trailing 3-1 at halftime.

                The second half was a different story for the Cougars. Early on, Eden Washington had a breakaway attempt that just missed. About five minutes later, Washington had another opportunity that the Otero defender got away.

                Otero tacked on another goal with 31 minutes to play for a 4-0 lead on an own goal.

                WNCC didn't quit like they have all season despite suiting up just 13 players because of injuries as Brittany Hunsley, a freshman from Belle Fouche, South Dakota, got the Cougars on the scoreboard with an 18-foot shot that went in off the post with 11:21 to play.

                WNCC finished with nine shots to 30 for Otero.

                WNCC goalkeeper Allison Parker had 18 saves in net.

                WNCC will say goodbye to seven sophomores, including Janie McAmis, Sierra Benevidez, Emily Henshaw, Jesse Michel, Shelby Neubert, Janalynn McKay, and Eden Washington.

                In other first-round scores in the women's regional tournament, Trinidad State Junior College topped Northwest College 2-1, Laramie County Community College, the top seed, shut out Northeastern Junior College 7-0, and Western Wyoming Community College 2-1 over Sheridan College.