CHEYENNE, WY – The #13 Laramie County Community College women's soccer team gave the number two team in the country all they could handle on Thursday afternoon before falling to Salt Lake Community College 5-4 in the opening match of the season.

The game started off brilliantly for Laramie County (0-1) as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead thanks to a Caroline Kuhn goal in the fifth minute on a cross from fellow sophomore Macey Woolcock.

Fifteen minutes later, it was another Kuhn goal in the 20^th minute that gave LCCC  a 2-0 edge, this time assisted by freshman Danielle O'Leary. Kuhn finished off what would be her second hat trick eight minutes later with an unassisted goal to help the Golden Eagles to a 3-1 lead going into the half.

"We worked all throughout the week of practice on finding the ball out wide and I think our team did a really good job of executing that so I think my three goals today came from us working as a team following coach," Kuhn said. "We are a brand new team and this is our first time playing under a new coach so I think all of that combined with playing a ranked team made it that much more special."

The Bruins only had been able to manage one goal in the 22^nd minute in the first half, but they brought a new intensity to the second half and adjusted their attacking style and were able to catch LCCC off balance in the opening minutes, scoring four unanswered goals in the 57^th, 60^th, 61^st, and 72^nd minutes of the second half.

LCCC did get back on the board on a free kick from Kjerstin Bunderson that pulled the Golden Eagles to within one with 13 minutes remaining in the game.

Despite several chances Laramie County couldn't break though and ended up falling 5-4 in their opening game.  

"The second half is one of those you kick yourself as a coach and wonder if you should have made rotations or maybe change up the style we were looking to play. It's a learning moment and it's one I think not only the team will learn but also myself as a coach," Head Coach Lugo Arenas said afterwords.  

The Golden Eagles were outshot 25-11 in the game and goalkeeper Kiara Kershaw had 17 saves in the game including one on a penalty kick to keep the team in the match.

"Unless you watch the game, you don't recognize that she is maybe one of the top ten goalies in the NJCAA," Arenas said of Kershaw. "For her to have that type of performance, there is film now to back up some of those things we see as a team every day but now spectators and opposing teams get to see that as well."

Two yellow cards were handed out to Rachelle Pinto and Kayt Ward of the Golden Eagles.

Laramie County has a week-long break before they are back in action on September 1^st when they travel to #9 Daytona State College in Florida. They will also face off with #4 Eastern Florida State College on September 3^rd before returning home to begin conference play on September 6^th and 7^th.

For the full schedule, you can visit www.golccc.com.