CASPER, Wyo. — College of Southern Nevada battled through the opening half Saturday before Casper College broke the match open after intermission, handing the Coyotes an 8-0 setback in their final match of a two-game road trip through Colorado and Wyoming.
Casper struck twice in the opening 20 minutes but CSN kept the match within reach for the remainder of the first half. Luca DiGiovanni opened the scoring in the sixth minute and added his second goal in the 19th, sending the Coyotes into halftime trailing 2-0.
The match changed quickly after the break.
Ethan Leslie scored in the 51st minute before Kaisei Shibata followed four minutes later. Kenjiro Gonzalo added another in the 56th and DiGiovanni completed his hat trick in the 59th, part of a six-goal second half for Casper. Diego Baeza and Hunter Saltsgaver accounted for the final two goals in the 61st and 63rd minutes.
Southern Nevada goalkeeper Diego Mendez faced steady pressure throughout the 90 minutes and was credited with nine saves. Casper generated 23 shots and six corner kicks, while the Coyotes finished with two shots and two corners. Justin Gilliland accounted for CSN's two shots on goal according to the box score.
The loss completed a difficult road swing for Southern Nevada after the Coyotes dropped a 1-0 decision at Colorado Northwestern Community College on Thursday. CSN had created numerous opportunities in that match but was unable to find an equalizer after Colorado Northwestern scored in the 38th minute.
Southern Nevada now returns home for a three-match stretch at the Cheyenne Sports Complex. The Coyotes host Central Wyoming College on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., followed by matches against Gillette College on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5, both scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
