Fifteen seconds was all the difference from a tie, win and a loss for the Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team on Saturday in the home contest with Gillette College.

                The Cougar women played well enough that could have won with their aggressive play, but it was just 15 seconds left in the first half that was the difference.

                WNCC had plenty of opportunities and came up short earlier in the first half. Amanda Duante had a shot go high with 34 minutes left. Later, Ashley Villagomez had a shot that went high with 19:50 to play. With 7:42 in the first, WNCC had a corner kick they couldn't convert on.

                The same misfortune happened to Gillette as they had plenty of shots that WNCC goalkeeper Dory Jenson made saves. It was with under a minute to play that Gillette scored. The Pronghorns had a free kick, but WNCC's wall of blockers blocked the ball back to Brooke Durham. Durham's second kick went high and bounced high and when it came down it was in the net with 15 seconds to play in the half.

                The second half saw both teams with chances to add scores, but nothing was going right. With 20:45 to play, WNCC had a prime scoring opportunity, but couldn't capitalize. A minute later, Villagomez had a shot that went high.

                With 4:50 to play, WNCC had a golden chance for a score, but a sliding shot wouldn't go into the net. WNCC kept getting chances as the Cougars had another shot with 3:20 to play, but Gillette's goalkeeper made the save.

                With under a minute to play, there was a foul near or in the box. WNCC was rewarded a free kick just like Gillette had in the first half. WNCC's free kick, however, went high and Gillette snuck out of Landers Soccer Complex with the win.       

                Gillette had an unofficial 13 shots in the contest while WNCC had eight shots.

                Jenson made six saves in net for the Cougars.

                WNCC will be back in action Wednesday when they travel to face Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Cougars will then have their last regular season home games of the season next weekend when they face Northeastern Junior College on Friday and Lamar Community College on Saturday. Action begins at 1 p.m. for the women's contest with the men to follow.