Iowa Trip Gets The Best of Plainsmen

Sept. 11, 2019, Sterling, Colo. —After a 4-1 win over the Western Nebraska Cougars, the Northeastern Junior College (NJC) Plainsmen soccer team took to the road to play two tough opponents in Iowa; Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) and the host team Iowa Western Community College (IWCC). Both teams have proved themselves thus far as ILCC is ranked #14 in the nation and IWCC is ranked #8 in the latest NJCAA National Poll. To be the best, NJC needed to beat the best, which is why they scheduled these teams this season. 

In their first game against ILCC, the Lakers broke the ice in the fourth minute to lead 1-0. Northeastern battled to tie it 1-1 in the 13th minute when Lukas Lougon scored with Maurus Frey getting the assist. A few minutes later, NJC committed a foul in the box and gave the Lakers a penalty shot, which they capitalized on to go up 2-1. At half ILCC led 2-1, putting the Plainsmen in a position to play from behind, which they have struggled to do well from. 

In the second half, ILCC was able to score two more goals; one in the 50th minute and one in the 85th. Northeastern fell to the Lakers 4-1 and looked too bounce back the next day. 

Their second game of the weekend against the IWCC Reivers was, on paper, their toughest opponent. Northeastern knew they had to bring their A game to beat the Reivers and get a split on the weekend. The first 10 minutes of the match was beck and forth with neither team finding a seam to score, but in the 17th minute IWCC put one past the keeper to go up 1-0. The Reivers added two more in the half to give them the 3-0 lead going into halftime. The second half was where NJC put themselves on the scoreboard when Quentin Hornung scored on a penalty kick in the 55th minute. The game went on without any other teams scoring, giving the Reivers the 3-1 win.

Northeastern begins their conference schedule on Friday Sept. 13 as they travel to La Junta, Colo. to play against the Otero Rattlers. Kickoff scheduled at 3 p.m.