Mustangs Beat LCCC in Wolves Stadium

Photos Courtesy of Jen Atkinson

On Wednesday, Western Wyoming Community College faced their oldest and most bitter rivals on the soccer pitch when the LCCC Golden Eagles came to Sweetwater County.  The match was played at Green River Wolves Stadium in Green River WY.  This was the first time that WWCC played a home contest in Green River WY.

As usual LCCC came out of the gates very intense and fast and dominated much of the first 5 minutes.  Just when it looked like the Mustangs had settled the match down the Golden Eagles found an early goal down the right side of the WWCC defense and took a 1 – 0 lead in the 7^th minute of play.  Western found more of the ball after the goal looking for the equalizer.  The tying goal came in the 23^rd minute after a foul was called on LCCC.  Taylor Flitton and his streak of scoring off of free kicks continued after placing a ball around the wall and in the bottom right of the goal.  This is the third match in a row that Flitton has scored off of a free kick.  Both teams created chances in the last twenty minutes of the first half but none to get on the scoreboard.  The halftime score was a tie WWCC 1 - LCCC 1.

With the strong wind at their back in the second half the Mustangs knew that opportunities to score would be plentiful in the final 45 minutes.  Just nine minutes into the second half the Mustangs were fouled in the penalty area and were awarded a penalty kick.  Riley Gibson stepped up and took the kick and the LCCC keeper made a beautiful save on the kick, fortunately for the Mustangs and Gibson the LCCC keeper moved early off of his line and WWCC was awarded another kick.  This time Gibson slotted it past the keeper and the Mustangs took their first lead in the 54^th minute.  Four minutes later Devin Moore an outside defender for the Mustangs found a nice pass from Gunner Burrell in the offensive third and hit a great ball in the upper right corner for a commanding 3 – 1 lead for the Mustangs with 32 minutes left to play.  LCCC to their credit took control of the possession of the match and dominated much of the play in the last third of the match.  The Mustang defense and keeper, Austin Pinter held strong and did not allow another goal.  The WWCC midfield worked tirelessly to limit the LCCC chances and even the Mustang forwards put in extra effort to help preserve the win.  After a long hard fight full ninety minutes the Mustangs earned the hard fought 3 – 1 victory over their rivals.  The win helps the Mustangs record improve to 5 – 2 – 0 and 3 – 0 – 0 in the Region IX North.

Mustang Man of the Match; Austin Pinter, keeper for the Mustangs made 12 saves and kept the LCCC attack at bay for a great win for the Mustangs.

Match Facts; Shots - WWCC 13, LCCC 20; Assists - WWCC 1, LCCC 0; Saves - WWCC 12, LCCC 4; Corner Kicks - WWCC 3, LCCC 6; Free Kicks - WWCC 8, LCCC 4; Cards - WWCC 0, LCCC 2.

Up Next for the Mustangs - 2:00pm Saturday 9/13 at Rock Springs Junior High (3500 Foothill Blvd) in Rock Springs WY versus Utah State University - Eastern.