North Las Vegas, NV (August 28, 2025) – The College of Southern Nevada Lady Coyotes soccer program opened its home 2025 season with high energy and anticipation, hosting the Colorado Northwestern Spartans at the Cheyenne Sports Complex on Thursday evening. CSN looked poised for an early statement win in Instead, the Coyotes found themselves on the wrong side of a fast-paced contest, falling 4–2 after a spirited first-half comeback was undone by a pair of second-half strikes from the visitors.

The match began with both sides testing each other in the midfield, but it was Colorado Northwestern who struck first. In the 11th minute, forward Lilly Wittwer found space on the right edge of the penalty area and slotted a well-placed shot past CSN goalkeeper Madison English, finishing off an assist from midfielder Amelia Warner. The quick strike gave the Spartans an early 1–0 advantage.
Just three minutes later, Colorado Northwestern doubled its lead when Ashlee Harris tucked home a ball set up by Peyton Smith. In the span of four minutes, the Spartans looked firmly in control, their pressing attack producing an early 2–0 cushion and forcing the Coyotes to regroup.

The Lady Coyotes, however, responded with resilience. Midfielder Leslie Villegas provided the spark CSN needed in the 15th minute. After a scramble in the box, Villegas calmly found the back of the net, slicing the Spartan lead in half and injecting new life into the home side.

From there, the Coyotes grew in confidence, pressing forward with waves of attacks led by Nathaly Perez-Rodriguez and Kate Oliva, who combined for 10 of CSN's 15 total shots. Their constant pressure forced the Spartan defense to scramble and earned the Coyotes three first-half corner kicks.

The equalizer came in the 41st minute when CSN was awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box. Villegas stepped to the spot and delivered with composure, slotting her shot into the lower corner to even the score at 2–2 heading into halftime.

With momentum appearing to favor CSN after the break, the second half began with urgency on both sides. However, the Spartans quickly reclaimed control. In the 50th minute, Harris notched her second goal of the match, finishing another dangerous sequence created by Warner. Just a minute later, the visitors struck again, as Smith powered home a chance created by Wittwer to make it 4–2.
That sudden two-goal burst stunned the Coyotes and shifted the rhythm of the match. Despite several opportunities in the final 40 minutes, CSN was unable to break through again. Perez-Rodriguez's pair of dangerous shots on target were turned away, and Oliva's long-range efforts forced saves but failed to close the gap.
 
For much of the evening, CSN goalkeeper Madison English faced relentless Spartan pressure. Colorado Northwestern peppered the goal with 18 total shots, 10 of which were on frame. English responded with eight saves, several of them acrobatic, to keep the Coyotes within reach. Without her sharp reflexes, the scoreline could have tilted even further.

Defensively, Oliva and Rayen Garrett anchored the backline, cutting out crosses and forcing the Spartans to shoot from distance on multiple occasions. Still, the speed and creativity of Harris, Wittwer, and Smith proved decisive in the outcome.
 
By the Numbers

• Scoring Summary:
  • CNCC – Wittwer (11:00, assist Warner)
  • CNCC – Harris (14:00, assist Smith)
  • CSN – Villegas (15:00, unassisted)
  • CSN – Villegas (41:00, penalty kick)
  • CNCC – Harris (50:00, assist Warner)
  • CNCC – Smith (51:00, assist Wittwer)
• Shots: CNCC 18, CSN 15
• Shots on Goal: CNCC 10, CSN 6
• Saves: CNCC 4, CSN 10 (English – 8 saves)
• Corner Kicks: CSN 5, CNCC 1
• Fouls: CSN 8, CNCC 10
• Cautions: CSN – Oliva (15'), CNCC – Reading (87')

 
While the scoreboard tilted toward Colorado Northwestern, several positives emerged for CSN in the home opener. Villegas' two-goal performance highlighted her ability to deliver in key moments, providing both leadership and scoring touch in the midfield. Perez-Rodriguez's speed and aggressiveness kept the Spartan defense honest, while Oliva contributed heavily to the Coyotes' offensive push with six shot attempts.

Equally important was the fight CSN showed in clawing back from a 2–0 deficit in the first half, a sign of the program's competitive spirit and potential moving forward in the 2025 season.
 
With the result, the Lady Coyotes fall to 1–1 overall, while Colorado Northwestern improves to 2–1.

The Lady Coyotes may not have secured the win in their home opener, but the grit they displayed—fighting back from two goals down, creating chances late, and standing tall against an experienced Spartan attack—set the tone for a season filled with promise. With a mix of returning talent and new contributors eager to make their mark, CSN remains a dangerous team in ACCAC competition, determined to build on this early test.