The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team has had its struggles in the first three weeks this season, but on Friday everything came together perfectly as the Cougar women played strong defense and scored when they needed in registering a Region IX conference tie with Casper College 1-1 at Landers Soccer Complex.

                Freshman Amanda Duarte of Brazil, said this was a team win in so many ways for her team.

                "We played as a team and we were strong and played for each other," Duarte said. "We played secure and with a lot of attention."

                On paper, when looking at the shots taken, it would seem as the Cougars didn't play well, but they did the little things. Casper had 21 shots in the match to just three for the Cougars.

                It was those little things that were key for the Cougars and that included a strong defense.

                "It was a good feeling, and we were happy (to get the tie," Duarte said. "The result shows that we have the play to the end and we have to do that on Saturday."

                The first half was a defensive encounter as neither team had a bunch of shots. Casper had about seven shots and WNCC had a couple of changes. The big one was with about nine left to play in the half, Yasmin Urbina had a free kick that went wide. The two teams were knotted at 0-0 at halftime.

                The second half was a wild one. Casper had 14 shots in the half, and WNCC goalkeeper Emily Villagomez kept the Cougars in the game with some strong saves.

                Finally, with 26:36 to play in the match, WNCC mounted an attack. Off a free kick and a scrum in front of the net, Duarte found the ball and placed it into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

                The Cougars rode that goal and continue playing tough defense stopping four potential tying goals. With 8:45 to play, Casper scored on a similar play that the Cougars scored. It was like a scrum in front of the net when Jessa Lynn took a pass from Taylor Miller and tied the match.

                After that, Casper had four attempts to win the match, but the Cougar defense played lights out and thwarted the attempts and came away with the win.

                WNCC will be back in action Saturday, September 14 when they host Gillette College in another conference game at 1 p.m. at Landers Soccer Complex.