NORFOLK – The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team played hard throughout the match, but couldn't squeak out the win, falling to Northeast Community College 3-0 Sunday in Norfolk.

                WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said they played OK, just couldn't get shots to go in the net.

                "The girls played tough; we just had bad breaks," Rasnic said. "I think it should have been an 1-0 loss; however, we did miss some scoring opportunities where we had some chances in front of goal."

                The loss on Sunday doesn't affect the Cougars in conference play since Northeast is a non-Region IX team. What matters is how the team performs the rest of the season, especially this weekend when they head back into Region IX play as they travel to Otero Junior College and Trinidad State Junior College.

                Rasnic said the focus is getting a good seed in the Region IX playoffs.

                "We need to get refocused and come away with a few more wins in Region IX South play and give ourselves decent seeding in the tournament," he said. "That is what we are working towards right now."

                Anything is possible this weekend. WNCC already played Otero and Trinidad twice, falling to Otero 4-1 and then losing a heart-breaker to Trinidad 1-0.

                On Sunday against Northeast, WNCC played tough while trailing 1-0 to the Hawks at halftime after Riley Johnson scored with 21 minutes to play.

                The Cougar defense continued playing tough after that first goal. Northeast picked up two penalty-kick goals in the second half, both from the foot of Hailey Curry.

                WNCC had two shots on goal and one corner kick while Northeast only managed five shots on goal and no corner kicks. Jordyn Rivera had six saves in net for the Cougars.