POWELL, WY – It wasn't easy, but the Laramie County Community College men's soccer team advanced to the Region IX semifinals after going on the road to take down Northwest College in penalty kicks 5-3 after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation.
"We understood what we needed to do from kickoff to the end of the game," Head Coach Fernando Perez said. "Even down to ten men we stayed structured and disciplined and they ground it out to do what they had to."
It took some time for LCCC to get things going in the first half, and Northwest College took advantage of that, striking for a goal in the 23rd minute when a through ball set up the Trappers for a shot that curled into the left corner of the net to put them up 1-0.
Both sides settled into the game and the Golden Eagles defense kept the game at a one goal deficit into the second half when Roy Mendoza-Huerta slipped a ball past the goalie just inside the right post from 20 yards out to even the match on his fourth goal of the season.
The Golden Eagles had to survive the final 30 minutes of regulation and both overtimes down a man after a red card was given just minutes after LCCC drew even in the match.
"I encouraged them that they had to continue playing," Perez said of his message to the team after the card. "It was anybody's game, and it was unfortunate that we got a red card but I know the players we have and the depth we have and I trust and believe in them."
LCCC didn't pull back though and continued to try to find an advantage despite being down 11-10 on the field and had several good looks towards the end of regulation but both sides couldn't settle the match in the first 90 minutes.
Overtime came and went as well without either team scoring, and the match went to penalty kicks.
Perez said it was important for that period for the team to be smart during the period they were down a man.
"We kind of played it by ear, picking and choosing when we stayed together and our moments of pressing, so they executed that. It's not that we weren't going for the tie, of course we wanted to end it early because with ten men playing 20 minutes of overtime, it wears down the body, but they were able to attack and still defend."
LCCC and Northwest both made their opening penalties, but on the second set, Luke Hyatt made a diving save to his right to deny the second Trapper a tally after the Golden Eagles had made their second to give the visitors the lead 2-1.
"That took a lot of pressure off of him and put a lot of pressure on the other team. He did his job and we are proud of him and he continues to impress us," Perez said.
Both teams made their PKs on the next four, setting up Mendoza-Huerta with a look to seal it up 4-3, but his first attempt was denied by the keeper. The officials decided that the goalie left his line too early though, and Mendoza-Huerta was given a second chance which he didn't waste, putting it past the keeper's left arm and giving the Golden Eagles the win 5-3 in penalties.
The win moves LCCC into the semifinals where they will travel to Western Nebraska Community College for a battle with the Cougars in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The Golden Eagles fell to the Cougars 3-1 on October 5th. It is also a rematch of last year's quarterfinal match for LCCC.
Kickoff time has not been decided at the time of writing.
"Last time we played them, with what the score was, I know the guys know what we have to do and what has to happen. I trust them and I know they can get the job done because of who they are and what they want to achieve," Perez said.
For more information including streaming and updates on kickoff time, visit www.golccc.com.