On Friday in Council Bluffs Iowa the Region IX Champs the Western Wyoming Mustangs faced off against the Region XI Champs Iowa Western Reivers in the Great Lakes District Championship.
Western Wyoming came into the match on a 6 match win streak. The Iowa Western team was on a 12 match win streak and was ranked #3 in the latest NJCAA National poll.
The Reivers were as good as advertised and set the tone of the match when they scored two early goals in the 5th and 14th minute. The Mustangs did get 4 shots off in the first half but nothing that really challenged the IWCC keeper.
In the second half the Mustangs found times of possession against IWCC but these times often lead to counter attack opportunities for the Reivers. Iowa Western would score three more times in the match with goals in the 55th, 63rd and 88th minute of play. Western Wyoming never gave up the fight and got on the scoreboard when a Jaden Auger freekick found Maylee Thompson who directed the ball to Emma Barnes who scored the lone goal for the Mustangs on the road on this day. The final score after 90 minutes of play was Western Wyoming 1 and Iowa Western 5. This loss ends the Mustang's season, one win away from qualifying for the NJCAA National Tournament in Foley Alabama. The final record for the 2018 Mustang Soccer season was 13 wins, 7 losses and 2 ties.
Mustang Valuable Player: Emma Barnes - for the goal on the day and a never say die attitude in the midfield.
Match Facts - Shots - WWCC 6, IWCC 16; Assists - WWCC 1, IWCC 4; Saves - WWCC 7, IWCC 4; Corner Kicks - WWCC 0, IWCC 0; Free Kicks - WWCC 7, IWCC 9; Cards - WWCC 1, IWCC 1
Up Next for the Mustangs: End of the 2018 season.
