CHEYENNE, WY – After falling in their opening Region IX match, Laramie County Community College came out with something to prove on Friday afternoon against Gillette College and struck early and often on the way to a 3-0 victory to open the home slate of the conference schedule.

"We started off strong after a little bit of a setback last week, but I hope this just starts the train rolling and we are unstoppable from here," sophomore Giselle Heck said.

The goals began just twelve minutes in when Aubrey Yantis struck for her second of the season on a Hailey Grillas cross that slipped past the keeper at the left post.

"This was only the second game where we have been the first team to score in the game," Head Coach Lugo Arenas said. "I've told them from the get-go that is what we need. If we get that first chance, that makes a huge difference."

The first half scoring surged again just eleven minutes later when Celeste Jimenez-Montero struck on a free kick from 55 yards out, sailing a ball just over the head of the keeper to surprise the fans and opposing team with the volley in.

"For a little bit of context, we weren't too surprised," Heck said of the goal. "(Celeste) can hit that and she does hit that in training all the time. She has amazing strength, and those big balls are all hers."

 That was part of 14 shots LCCC took in the opening half and the offensive assault didn't slow down much in the second.

Five minutes in, Heck got into a one on one with the Pronghorn goalie and was able to touch one past her for the finishing touches on the final score and for her second goal of the year.

Grillas finished with her second assist on the play and LCCC only had to work to keep the zero on the other side of the board to earn the win.

The defense did just that, holding Gillette to just two shots on goal and only four shots in the entire match. Rebecca Sargent added her third clean sheet of the season with the win and third in the last four games.

The schedule picks up when the Golden Eagles host Casper College on Saturday afternoon to close out the weekend two-pack. The Thunderbirds are receiving votes in the most recent NJCAA polls, and it is expected to be a match with implications on the Region IX standings.

Heck said it comes down to playing for each other when it comes to winning as they push through the opening of conference play.

"Everything we do isn't for ourselves, it's for our team. This is our family. These are the people we love, the people we spend all day with, so just fighting for each other and having heart."

Streaming information and more on the LCCC women's soccer schedule can be found at www.golccc.com.