Needing a last minute goal in the scorching heat on Saturday, the Trapper men’s soccer team found an answer with five minutes left to win its home opener over Western Nebraska 2-1.

Early on in the match the Trappers (2-2-1) dominated possession against the Cougars (0-3), but were unable to find the finishing touch.

“I thought we started brightly, we had a good mentality and we were competing,” Trapper men’s soccer coach Rob Hill said. “We had two or three really good chances that we should have buried.”

Despite the strong start and dominant possession, the Trappers found themselves trailing in the match after a strong counter-attack by Western Nebraska found the back of the net with 15 minutes left in the first half.

Strong shouts from Northwest for a high-kick and an offside decision were not heard, and the Trappers found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime.

Northwest came out with a more direct approach in the second half, creating a high press within the forward line to ensure Western Nebraska stopped playing long diagonal passes over the Trapper defense.

That pressure paid off immediately, as the direct play from the Trappers resulted in a goal by freshman Kurtis Richins just five minutes into the half.

“That goal by Kurtis [Richins] was scrappy and that is his mentality,” Hill said. “He has added that little bit more of a spark to our attack.”

Northwest continued to press the initiative, finding more scoring opportunities but unable to put any of the chances away.

Seeming like the game was going to go to extra time, the Trappers got one stroke of luck to find a winner with just five minutes left.

A poor clearance by the Western Nebraska keeper dropped to freshman John Joe Mullane, who put a ball over top from around 40 yards out to win the match.

“We plugged away and created other goal opportunities, and took advantage of a big mistake by their keeper,” Hill said. “This win was important to this team after the weekend prior where we had some results that were not really a showcase of what happened.”

Western Nebraska had a few last ditch opportunities, but did not find the equalizer in the closing minutes.

Northwest heads out on the road this Friday to take on a newly formed program in Lamar Community College. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Lamar, Colorado.

The Trappers turn around the next day to take on Northeastern Junior College on Saturday at 1 p.m. 

“Going on a bus for 12-13 hours is tough, but if they can make the changes then they can get some good wins in conference play,” Hill said.

Northwest then returns home to Powell on Tuesday to take on No. 13 ranked Casper College at 3 p.m.