NWC MEN ADVANCE TO FINAL

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

A closely contested Region IX semifinal was separated by the finest of margins on Friday night, as the Northwest College men's soccer team earned the 1-0 win over Casper College on the road behind a second half free kick from Jake Coltart to earn a trip to the Region IX final.   

NORTHWEST 1, CASPER COLLEGE 0
Cooler temperatures didn't slow down the action on the field between the Trappers (11-4-1) and the Thunderbirds (10-3-2).
Throughout the first half the Trappers were able to absorb the pressure of the Thunderbirds, holding the hosts to far out free kicks and half chances on long shots.
"We kind of knew that that's what they were going to do," coach Rob Hill said. "We prepared for that, they must have dived 25 times within 30 yards of our goal and we made the mistake of giving soft fouls away. It was clear what they were trying to do."
Northwest held possession at times throughout but was unable to generate much offense, before the best chance of the half came with nine minutes left from the Thunderbirds.
A shot rocketed off the crossbar for the hosts and bounced down and out off the goalline, before being cleared out for a corner kick.
"They really didn't threaten us from open play at all in the game against us at home, they didn't break us down other than set pieces," Hill said. 
Casper had several more chances in the box off that corner, with each one being held out by the Trappers and the match remained 0-0 heading into the break.
The game started opening up in the second half, as the Trappers found more attacking opportunities behind the Casper defense thanks to the speed of Shota Akima and the aggressive play of Sora Taenaka.
"They couldn't handle Shota at all with his speed," Hill said. "Sora was on another level that night … I don't know what sparked him but I want to see that again on Sunday."
Northwest's goal came from a free kick from approximately 30-35 yards out, with Coltart stepping up to take the opportunity. 
His free kick was low and had some pace, pushing through a group of players and finding its way into the far post before the keeper could react and making it 1-0 for Northwest 17 minutes into the second half.
"The goal is funny, because of all the chances that we had, that was the least expected for a goal, and sometimes the unexpected can get a goal," Hill said. "I think there were a couple moves in the box where the goalkeeper was anticipating a touch, the touch didn't come and it just drifted through."
Northwest again absorbed pressure from the Thunderbirds who were trying to find an answer through long balls and set pieces, but the Trapper defense remained organized and got every attacking opportunity out without much strain to Trapper keeper Matthijs van Aartsen.
The Trappers had one chance to extend the lead late, but Mateo De Souza's shot was dragged wide.
Tensions flared late and after the game between the two teams, but the Trappers finished with the 1-0 win and advanced to the final.
"I thought that we did a good job in a tense atmosphere, we're at their ground and we've had to travel but I thought the guys were brilliant," Hill said. "They were hungry all the way. They were a totally different team … The fans that we brought down, we're so grateful for the three buses that Northwest brought down because they were brilliant. They were louder than the home crowd."

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Northwest now heads even further south for the Region IX Championship this weekend in Colorado, matching up with the No. 1 seed Otero College Rattlers (11-4-1) at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
"They work extremely hard. They're aggressive in their press," Hill said of Otero. "We're going to take our time getting down there. I think these guys are going to be ready for Sunday. Honestly when it comes to this game, both teams are going to be battle hardened and prepared, and it's about who's going to be the best team on the day."
Due to Otero's home field not meeting the requirements to host the championship match, the teams will meet at a neutral site in Colorado State University Pueblo.
The winner of the match heads to the NJCAA National Tournament in Florida in mid-November.