CHEYENNE, WY – The #19 Laramie County Community College women's soccer team earned the first-round win over Western Nebraska on Friday afternoon 3-0 for their eighth win of the season, taking down the Cougars for the second time in as many weeks to advance to the semifinals of the Region IX playoffs and two wins away from a second consecutive appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament in November.

"A win is a win in the postseason, no matter how we got it," Head Coach Lugo Arenas said. "The 1-0 at halftime had us nervous a little bit especially considering how many chances we let go, but being able to put together this kind of win makes a difference for what's to come."

The Golden Eagles came out aggressively in the first half and controlled the ball for most of the opening 45 minutes, producing multiple good looks at the goal but the opening score came on one of the more unlikely chances they had.

In the 21^st minute, Macey Woolcock took a corner kick and found the top right corner of the net with a little help from a strong wind that aided the curve of the ball and put LCCC up 1-0 for the remainder of the half.

"I was really surprised that it went in," Woolcock said. "We've been focusing a lot on corners in practice and stuff, so I've been taking a lot of corners. I wasn't expecting it."

After halftime, Western Nebraska brought a new energy while playing from behind, but LCCC's defense continued to play strong like they have all season and kept Kiara Kershaw from having to make many defensive saves, finishing with just three in the match on the six shots allowed to the Cougars.

"We knew it was going to be a hard game considering that we beat them 2-1 last week, but I think we prepared a lot, and we just had the mindset of this could be our last game and that helped us to really push through I think," Woolcock said.

The offense didn't take long to return to their form and just 15 minutes into the second half, they were back on the scoreboard.

Tayler Miller picked up her fourth goal of the season on an Abby Williams assist to give the Golden Eagles a cushion in the 60^th minute and Caroline Kuhn added to the trifecta of goals for LCCC with a one-on-one chance she finished in the 78^th minute courtesy of an assist from Macey Woolcock.

The assists for Williams and Woolcock were each's ninth of the year and the pair remain tied for the top spot in the Region IX standings for assists going into the semifinals.

"They are outliers as far as what the numbers show, but statistically we are so versatile being able to find the back of the net, or at least with those that set that play up and I think that's what is carrying us on through this huge run that we've had through region play," Arenas said, praising his team's ability to play together.

Woolcock also moved into a tie for the team lead in total points, now with 25 after three today, tying her with Kuhn for the team lead going into the semifinals.

The Golden Eagles move on to play #15 Western Wyoming Community College next week for a spot in the Region IX Championship on November 4^th against the winner of Casper College and Otero College. The Golden Eagles could host the championship game with a victory and a loss by Casper. A victory and a Thunderbird win would see the championship played in Casper, Wyoming.

"(Western Wyoming) is a wonderful team and I know they had a strong run towards the end," Arenas said. "Our game was back and forth and both teams could have taken the win. They are sound defensively and they just continue to push forward just like what we do."

For up-to-date information on the postseason, find more information at www.golccc.com.