Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
Finishing up the regular season at home the Northwest College women’s soccer team battled to the end against three teams — losing a difficult contest to Casper College 3-1 on Friday, before defeating Gillette College 6-1 on Saturday and Northeastern Junior College 4-2 on Tuesday.
CASPER COLLEGE 3, NORTHWEST 1
Starting out the first of three games in five days, Northwest (9-7 overall, 5-4 Region IX) went to battle with No. 15-ranked Casper College (12-2-1 overall, 8-0-1 Region IX) looking to avenge a 2-1 loss to Casper a month prior.
Casper College got on the board quickly, scoring just over six minutes into the game to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Northwest had an answer when Kaitlynn Campbell scored off a corner kick to tie the game just two minutes later.
The Thunderbirds reclaimed the lead just before halftime, scoring with six minutes left to make it 2-1 at the break.
“The first half was appalling, I was really disappointed in how we played,” coach Rob Hill said.
In the second half, Casper College extended its lead out to 3-1 after 14 minutes, meaning Northwest would need a strong comeback to overcome the Thunderbirds.
The Trappers created more chances, but were unable to find a goal and cut into the lead, but Hill felt the team deserved a better result after the second half.
“Second half we were the better team,” Hill said. “We should have had a penalty on a clear handball I thought, but unfortunately we didn’t. That would have put us 3-2 with 10 minutes to go.”
Northwest was outshot 11-6 in the game, and continued a streak of alternating wins and losses that started in September.
NORTHWEST 6, GILLETTE COLLEGE 1
After the loss Friday, Northwest turned its attention to the Pronghorns (2-12-1 overall, 1-8 Region IX) looking for a repeat of the same result of 5-1 in Gillette in August.
The Trappers did just that and more on Saturday.
Pressly Taylor got the scoring going five minutes into the game, but Gillette responded five minutes later to tie the game 10 minutes in.
Abby Derbyshire then put Northwest ahead for good, scoring goals in the 15th minute and midway through the half to make it 3-1.
Aubrey Cooper got a goal just before the half, helping Northwest to a commanding 4-1 lead.
“It was kind of a slow half,” Hill said.
With 20 minutes left in the game, Abigail Allen got her name on the scoresheet, before Autumn Wilson got her goal to cap off the scoring to help Northwest win 6-1.
“The second half we picked up and played a little bit better. Overall it was a slow game, we did what we needed to get the result,” Hill said.
Northwest outshot Gillette 18-14.
NORTHWEST 4, NORTHEASTERN JC 2
After a few days off the Trappers returned to action on Tuesday, taking on the Plainswomen (4-9-1 overall, 2-6 Region IX) after the prior game was rescheduled.
Northwest came out on the front foot, creating strong chances but unable to find the lead goal early.
Northeastern then got on the board on a long shot with 14 minutes left in the half, leaving Northwest shell-shocked after the strong start.
“I thought we missed some clear chances by being antsy then we go one goal down from a long shot,” Hill said.
A Cody-to-Cody connection got Northwest back in the game when Aspen Kalkowski found the head of Wilson on a cross to tie the game with 10:30 left.
After the break Northwest had a quick start, when Derbyshire scored just 1:30 into the half to give Northwest the lead.
Tessa Hyland got a goal and extended the lead to 3-1 with 25 minutes left and put Northwest in the driver’s seat.
Olivia Bradley got Northwest’s final goal late, but Northeastern scored one of its own before the game ended to make it 4-2.
“I thought we picked it up in the second half. We appear to be a second half team which is not ideal going into postseason,” Hill said.
The victory marked the first time Northwest won consecutive matches since Aug. 25-Sept. 2, when the Trappers won four straight.
FINAL GAME SATURDAY
Northwest now heads on the road for its final regular season game on Saturday, taking on the Central Wyoming Rustlers (3-10-2 overall, 2-4-2 Region IX) at 1 p.m. in Riverton.
Northwest will be seeking a repeat of the prior matchup in Powell on Sept. 2 when the Trappers defeated the Rustlers 7-2.
The Trappers are currently sitting in a playoff spot, and will most likely be heading to Western Wyoming for a matchup next weekend to start the postseason.