CHEYENNE, WY – A defensive battle in the first half led to the flood gates opening as the #13 Laramie County Community College men's soccer team rolled to a convincing 3-0 win at home over the Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen to move to 7-1 on the year and 4-0 in conference play.
The first half didn't see much scoring despite several good chances that were earned by the Golden Eagles and Head Coach Fernando Perez said that he didn't need to change much going into the second half.
"It wasn't a bad half. We started off strong and did what they were supposed to, just didn't find the back of the net. We didn't have the quality there yet but I gave them the halftime speech and said they needed to just go for the next 45 and you'll get the result you want."
That faith was shown to be well placed as two minutes into the second half, Cooper Johnson was able to break free to strike for the opening goal and put LCCC up 1-0 in the 47th minute.
It took nine minutes from there for a second goal to find the net when Alvin Udoto finished a rebound off of a Vincent Renton shot to put the Golden Eagles up 2-0.
Udoto wasn't done either. In the 70th minute he found a small seam and broke through on a beautiful through ball from Nicholas Marmolejo to put the icing on the cake and push LCCC on to a 3-0 win.
"We are hoping this is where we say hey, we know you can do it, just need to start doing it more," Perez said. "I proud of the whole group. Different guys find the back of the net and guys continue to add to the team."
The defense was just as strong through the game, and as a team limited NJC to just seven shots and only three on goal which were all handled by Luke Hyatt as he picked up his fourth clean sheet in as many games.
"We just stay together and stay organized," freshman Usiel Franco-Cruz said. "We really just don't panic on the long balls that they were sending because when they play around that's when they make us unorganized and just panicked so we just try to stay calm and relaxed."
The defense hasn't allowed a goal in conference play and Franco-Cruz said that is something they take pride in.
"I'm really proud. That was my goal when I started to play I just wanted to have a clean sheet every single game that we played just to show other teams what we are made of and our defense is good."
LCCC took 17 shots as a team and put nine of those on the frame. The also were the more physical team and really controlled the match all game. That is play that will need to continue for the roster as they travel to Otero College on Friday for their first conference road trip of the season.
"I think the guys are ready for it," Perez said. "It's something new, they get to experience a little bit of traveling down south. It's a good group of guys. The guys that come off the bench, the guys that start, everybody.
Kickoff of that game is scheduled for 5:30 pm, and more information can be found at www.golccc.com.