The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team lost a heartbreaker to Northeastern Junior College in overtime 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Landers Soccer Complex in the team's final regular season home game.
"We did really good," freshman Hazel Cardenas said. "We showed we have a lot of confidence because we have a talented team. We just haven't been able to connect and we have been trying new things to help us."
The first half was a defensive contest as neither team scored as they entered the locker room at 0-0.
The second half was dominated by WNCC early. Cali Wright had a couple point-blank shots at the first goal just five minutes into the half, but the NJC goalkeeper kept making saves. WNCC had some more shots later, but couldn't bury them into the net.
Finally,, with 21:49 to play in the match, WNCC struck as Ashley Ruiz found Andrea Jimenez with the go-ahead goal for the 1-0 lead.
WNCC then went on the defensive as the Plainswomen had a nice shot with 17:52 to play that went wide. Moments later, NJC missed wide. Finally, with 9:25 to play, NJC's Gabriele Bauman scored on a long shot that went into the net in the upper 90.
The offense kept going for NJC as they had four shots that could have went ahead that failed. WNCC had a free kick with five minutes to play that was saved as both teams never scored in regulation.
The first overtime was exciting as NJC had a shot that hit the pole and then the rebound shot also was off target with 7:30 to play. But, with 7:13 left in overtime, Lindsey Harris delivered a pass to Rosalinda Sanchez who hit another long shot that went into the upper net for the game winner.
NJC had 17 shots in the match while WNCC had eight. WNCC won the corner kick battle with two corners to the Plainswomen's one.
The WNCC women will be back in action next weekend when they travel to face Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs, Wyoming.