MEN'S SOCCER FIGHTS BACK FROM EARLY DEFICITS

Two early deficits did not sink the Northwest College men's soccer team once again, as the Trappers fought back to earn a 2-2 draw against Central Wyoming on Saturday and defeated Lamar Community College 3-2 on Monday.    

NORTHWEST 2, CENTRAL WYOMING 2
Returning home to continue conference action the Trappers (4-2-6 overall, 3-1-3 Region IX) matched up with the Rustlers (3-4-2 overall, 3-2-2 Region IX) seeking a repeat of a 3-0 exhibition win in September.

The contest did not get off to the start the Trappers wanted, as they drew a penalty just two minutes into the game.

Central converted the chance, and made it 1-0 early.

They doubled their advantage 20 minutes in, when a cross snuck across the frame of goal and was tapped home for a 2-0 Central lead.

Northwest started to gather its footing and take control of the possession in the contest, creating chances and finally putting one home before the halftime whistle.

Pedro Nunez fired home a shot with 16 minutes left in the half, giving the Trappers life.

In the second half, a physical contest ensued, resulting in eight yellow cards between the teams, as Northwest continued to press for an equalizer.

Northwest found its equalizing goal on a last gasp opportunity in the final
minute.

A corner kick went long, before it was served back into the box and center back Alan De Paula headed home the second chance to tie the game with just 12 seconds remaining.

Northwest outshot Central 13-4 in the contest, while Harvey Bolland added three saves in the match for the Trappers.

NORTHWEST 3, LAMAR CC 2
On Monday the Trappers matched up with the Runnin' Lopes (0-10-1 overall, 0-5-1 Region IX) in another contest where Northwest found itself down early.

Lamar found its way behind the Trapper defense inside the first five minutes to make it 1-0.

The Runnin' Lopes got in behind the defense again just 12 minutes into the game, scoring on a scramble in the box to make it 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

Just before the break the Trappers were able to get one on the board, when De Paula headed one in on a corner to make it 2-1 heading into halftime.

Northwest found its groove and had several opportunities throughout the second half including several that hit off the post, before finally finding an equalizer with 30 minutes left.

Pedro Miguel Vilaca Teixeira slotted home a shot from the edge of the box and gave the Trappers enough time to find a winner.

That came when Luc Haller rifled home a left footed shot with 21:35 left and completed the comeback for the Trappers.

Northwest continued finding opportunities, but couldn't extend the lead over the final 20 minutes.    

POSTSEASON PUSH
Northwest now heads into the final weekend of the regular season, welcoming in two of the top Region IX teams with the Trappers vying for a postseason berth.

The weekend will start against Western Nebraska (7-3-2 overall, 6-0-1 Region IX) at 2 p.m. on Friday, a team the Trappers tied the first weekend of the regular season 3-3.

Northwest then takes on Laramie County Community College (8-3 overall, 5-2 Region IX) at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The Trappers currently sit in the region standings behind those two teams in addition to Casper College and Otero but just ahead of Central and Northeastern. Those three teams are vying for postseason positioning this weekend as the top six teams advance to the postseason.

The lowest Northwest can finish is the No. 7 seed and just miss out on the postseason, but a pair of wins will guarantee a postseason berth, but likely still with a position that will result in a first round matchup instead of a bye.