SCOTTSBLUFF, NE – The Laramie County Community College men's soccer team couldn't come back from a 2-0 deficit to Western Nebraska Community College on Saturday afternoon as their season came to a close after a 2-1 loss in the first round of the Region IX playoffs.

"We started off slow," Head Coach Fernando Perez said. "At the end we started to come to life but there wasn't enough time on the clock."

The Golden Eagles had trouble getting their offense going in the first half with only one total shot taken in the opening 45 minutes. The Cougars didn't have much more success but did pick up the opening goal in the 45^th minute when a penalty kick put them in front at the half.

"They played a good through ball and we couldn't catch up and gave up a foul in the box," Perez said.

After a chance to adjust at the half, the Golden Eagles came with a renewed vigor and began to pelt the WNCC defense with shots, taking eleven in the second half and earning five corner kicks after not taking any in the first.

"I think the energy coming out was good, but that was something we lacked in the first half to dominate the whole 90 minutes," Perez said.

While LCCC controlled the game for most of the second half, it was WNCC that had the success on the scoreboard first, double the lead to 2-0 in the 80^th minute on a shot from 25 yards out.

LCCC didn't pull back, and in fact, answered with a goal of their own in the 85^th minute when Brandon Young scored his first of the season on a cross from Gael Hernandez to keep the hopes of the Golden Eagles alive.

"There was fight," Perez said. "They played quality soccer for the last ten minutes on our behalf. (Brandon) did what he has done all season being a starter and giving us that help as a freshman, I have very high hopes for him as a sophomore."

It was too little, too late though, and LCCC couldn't break through a second time to force overtime, falling by the 2-1 final to end their season.

While the season is over on the field, there is still plenty to do in the coming months. Perez said he wants to find homes for all of the sophomores at the next level that are looking to pursue the sport at four-year colleges and for the freshman, it's about building on the lessons learned during the season.

"The freshman just continue to build that culture and team bonding," Perez said. "Make them understand that we still have to be a group and we are coming back next year a little bit better and a little bit stronger."

The Golden Eagles finish the season 5-7-1 overall and 5-3-1 in Region IX play. For Perez, he moves to 10-5-2 in Region IX play as a coach with appearances for his team in the postseason both years.