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By James Hernandez 

After setting the pace in the Scenic West Athletic Conference all season long, the College of Southern of Nevada Men's soccer team found themselves just one win away from an outright SWAC title and the right to play host to the 2017 Region XVIII tournament. However, before the team could call themselves conference champions they would need to defeat either Salt Lake or Snow College.

Thursday afternoon's match was big for not only both team's confidence, but also for the SWAC standings as both teams were looking to win the season series after splitting a pair of matches at the "Den" earlier this month. Defense was the name of the game for both teams as neither side was able to dent the scoreboard in the first 45 minutes of play, sending both teams into the locker room scoreless. Salt Lake's Bridger Hansen broke the scoreless tie in the 77^th minute and a shell shocked Southern Nevada team was gashed for a second goal off the foot of Raul Sanchez just 1:58 later. CSN was unable to tally a goal for the first time since being shutout 1-0 by these same Bruins September 30^th. SLCC dropped CSN 2-0 to keep the Coyotes celebration on ice for at least a few more days and give themselves a sliver of hope for a conference crown.

Following a touching tribute to our departing sophomore's Saturday afternoon, Southern Nevada took the pitch eager to secure a victory and lock down a SWAC crown.

The match began with both teams playing a bit tight, and with all that was on the line no one could blame them. Dynamic diaper dandies Luis Olandez and Manuel Ponce hooked up to give Southern Nevada an early 1-0 lead after Ponce converted a perfect pass from Olandez at the 10:16 mark of the first half. Reigning SWAC keeper of the year Miguel Navarrete was his usual, brilliant self and the Coyotes rode a stingy defense to a 1-0 lead after 45 minutes of play. With the game hanging in the balance the former Bonanza Bengal Manuel Ponce showed that he had a flair for the dramatic when he took a perfect feed off the foot of Juan Sanchez and found the back of the Badgers net for the second time in the match to give CSN a 2-0 advantage. Snow was able to cut the lead in half with a goal in the 75^th minute, but it was too late. CSN held on to defeat Snow College 2-1 to secure the program's first ever Scenic West Athletic Conference regular season title and earn the right to host next weekend's 2017 Region XVIII tournament.

Fans make plans to "pack the Den" Friday and Saturday as your Coyotes look to claim a Region XVIII tournament title for the second straight season.

CSN will open up tournament play Friday afternoon versus the USU-Eastern Eagles.

For match times and live updates all weekend log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Twitter @CSN_MSoc and Facebook CSNCoyotes.