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Western Nevada College's women's soccer team (9-6-2, 0-3-2 Scenic West Athletic Conference) battled through another close game against North Idaho College that was decided by one goal. This time, though, the Wildcats fell 2-1 in overtime, in the SWAC Region XVIII Championship game Saturday in Coeur d’Alene.

“It our best played game of the year and I am proud of the relentless effort our players put in,” Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. “As the tears were rolling down their faces after the game, many of the players were asking me if we were practicing on Tuesday. We don’t want this to be over and will be anxiously awaiting next season.”

NIC took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a controversial goal when one of their players appeared to be offsides. In the second half, Western's Alexia Balmaseda received a pass from Jordan Forman and headed the ball into the net to tie the score. NIC, who outshot WNC 8-6, scored the winning goal five minutes into the overtime period. Goalkeeper Allie Otto had six saves.

“As much as it hurts to lose, we should be proud of our accomplishments this season in what was really a rebuilding year with only three players returning,” Arthur said. “We played the top schools in California neck-and-neck, and beat a four-year university and the No. 12-ranked team in the nation.”

The Wildcats captured the SWAC Region XVIII Championship last year in Coeur d'Alene with a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory over North Idaho. In this year’s regular season, WNC and NIC battled to a scoreless tie in Idaho and NIC won a close 2-1 match in Carson City.

Press Release: October 25, 2007