The Northwest College men’s soccer team remains at the top of Region IX, as a 0-0 draw against Western Nebraska Community College and a 3-2 win over Laramie County Community College extended the Trappers’ unbeaten run to six and propelled them to a national ranking.

NORTHWEST 0, WESTERN NEBRASKA CC 0

In the final home games of the regular season the Trappers (6-1-2 overall, 5-1-1 Region IX) welcomed in the Cougars (7-3-3 overall, 4-2-1 Region IX) in a battle of the top two teams in Region IX.

“It was a battle,” coach Rob Hill said.

Competing against each other for a second time this season, neither team found consistent chances, with the Trappers’ best chance coming 20 minutes in on a save by the visiting keeper.

The best chance for the visitors came near the halftime break, as a corner was headed off the post with seven minutes left, but neither team scored heading into the break.

Neither team found the net in the second half either, with the Trappers having the better opportunities throughout.

“We had some very good chances that we didn’t put away, and they had a couple where [Trapper keeper] Oakley [Parnum] was unreal,” Hill said. “I think at the end of the day, it’s probably a fair result. Both teams could have won it had the finishing been better.”

The draw kept the Trappers just ahead of the Cougars with 16 points to Western Nebraska’s 14.

NORTHWEST 3, LCCC 2

Another battle between top teams in the region ensued on Saturday, as the Golden Eagles (3-1-4 overall, 3-1-3 Region IX) made the trip to Powell.

The first big chance of the game came from the visitors, as a quick free kick found a Golden Eagle attacker behind the Trapper defense, but a big save from Parnum kept the score 0-0.

“LCCC, way different than what we prepared for,” Hill said. “They battled very hard. A team that put the ball in the air a lot, and they won the duels a lot aerially.”

Northwest’s best chance for much of the half came from Hayden Vally, who had his one-on-one attempt saved by the keeper 26 minutes in.

A desperation heave down the field in the dying seconds of the first half resulted in the first goal, as Tristan Hargreaves brought down an Archie Bartlett long ball over the defense and finished the ball against the LCCC keeper to make it 1-0 with four seconds left.

Northwest didn’t have to wait long to get a goal in the second half, as Josh Rabord fired home a shot just three minutes in to make it 2-0.

It was nearly three shortly after, when Rabord put another shot just over the crossbar two minutes later.

LCCC got on the board from a counterattack as the offensive flurry to start the second half continued, making it 2-1 in the 55th minute.

Five minutes later the Golden Eagles got an equalizer after it was determined that the Trapper keeper took down an attacker without getting the ball, and the ensuing penalty kick was fired into the net to make it 2-2.

Northwest regained the lead midway through the half, as Rabord’s initial shot was saved, but the rebound found Vally, who worked his way around in the box before he was fouled and earned a penalty for the Trappers.

William Danaire stepped up and converted it, giving Northwest the 3-2 win and extending the Trappers’ unbeaten streak to six.

“It was a dogfight,” Hill said. “We like to play soccer and get the ball to feet and they didn’t allow us to do that. So fair play to them on that. It made it a dogfight, which suited their [LCCC’s] game. But the guys showed a lot of character and grit, which is what you need in this region because you’ll play against every style.”

NATIONAL RANKING

Following the win the Trappers climbed into the top 20 of the most recent NJCAA poll, checking in at No. 17. Despite getting into the poll, Hill said the Trappers continue to maintain their focus despite making the rankings for a second straight year.

“It got mentioned on Instagram, but nobody’s talked about it. No one said a word about it,” Hill said. “I think they’re just more hungry to win the game and get a result on Friday. They understand the level and the gravity of that game … The ranking doesn’t really bother us or affect us in any way. We know it puts a target on our back, but if you’re going to be champions you’re going to do that anyway. We’ve got the players to handle the pressure, we’ve got the concentration. We’ve done that ever since the Trinidad game.”

FINAL REGION GAMES

The Trappers head down to Colorado for the final Region IX games of the season.

An important matchup awaits on Friday in Sterling, when the Trappers take on Northeastern Junior College (6-2-1 overall, 4-1-0 Region IX), which currently sits third in the region but is a threat to the top seed for Northwest. The Plainsmen are the second team in the receiving votes section of the NJCAA poll.

“They look like a very tough team to play. A lot of times they sit with 10 or 11 players behind the ball and counterattack, which they look very good at,” Hill said. “They’re very accurate on shooting. They don’t shoot very much, but when they do, they score. So this will be a very good battle, and whoever wins this game will probably go on top.”

The Trappers then take on Lamar Community College (0-1-12 overall, 0-1-4 Region IX) at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Northwest will have one final nonconference matchup on the road against Central Wyoming next weekend.

REGION IX STANDINGS

(Overall record then conference record, Win-Draw-Loss)

1. Northwest — 6-1-2 overall, 5-1-1 Region IX

2. Western Nebraska — 7-3-3 overall, 4-2-1 Region IX

3. Northeastern JC 6-2-1 overall, 4-1-0 Region IX

4. LCCC — 3-1-4 overall, 3-1-3 Region IX

5. Central Wyoming — 6-3-4 overall, 2-2-3 Region IX

6. Casper College — 4-4-3 overall, 2-2-1 Region IX

7. Otero College — 1-5-5 overall, 1-3-1 Region IX

8. Trinidad State — 1-0-10 overall, 1-0-4 Region IX

9. Gillette College 3-6-3 overall, 0-1-4 Region IX

10. Lamar CC 0-1-12 overall, 0-1-4 Region IX