The Western Nevada Community College women's soccer team tuned up for its biggest game in its young history with a 4-1 win at Butte Community College on Tuesday.
WNCC will host North Idaho Community College at 11 a.m. Saturday at Edmonds Park in a game that will go a long way in determining the Scenic West Athletic Conference regular season title. WNCC has beaten Salt Lake Community College 4-2 and lost to North Idaho 2-0. Salt Lake and North Idaho played to a 2-2 tie.
Butte scored in the first 10 minutes of the game, but then WNCC gained control. The Wildcats responed after Butte scored by scoring twice in the next seven minutes.
Hannah Lee scored on an assist from Courtney Lenhart and Lenhart scored to give WNCC a 2-1 halftime lead. In the second half, Savannah Gray scored and Jessica Maule bended a free kick into the upper net from just outside the goal box after lee was fouled to finish the scoring.
WNCC (5-5-2) outshot Butte 35-9 and had 10 shots on goal to Butte's three. "They were a pretty physical team," WNCC coach Hillary Arthur said. "Some of the girls got banged around pretty good."
The Wildcats played without two of its top players, Christina Bradshaw, who was taking a test, and Dominque Gloude, who's out with a knee injury. Arthur said it's unlikely Gloude will be able to play on Saturday.
Arthur said Meghan Olsen continues to play well in Gloude's place. "She's doing a good job of keeping the defense organized," Arthur said.
Arthur also said Phalon Mauntel played well. "Phalon Mauntel did a great job on the outside right wing," Arthur said. Goalie Rachelle Goulet posted the win.