Craig’s CNCC soccer teams start season this weekend

The beginning of college-level sports in Craig commences this weekend.

The Colorado Northwestern Community CollegeColorado Northwestern Community College men’s and women’s soccer teams seasons begin this weekend as the Spartans host Salt Lake Community College Friday and Saturday at Loudy-Simpson Park. men’s and women’s soccer teams seasons begin this weekend as the Spartans host Salt Lake Community College Friday and Saturday at Loudy-Simpson Park.

Colorado Northwestern Community College men’s and women’s soccer teams seasons begin this weekend as the Spartans host Salt Lake Community College Friday and Saturday at Loudy-Simpson Park.

The first official game for the CNCC squads also marks the Craig campus’s foray into athletics alongside its Rangely sister school.

Head coach Lance Noble said the progress has been great, especially considering practices only began six weeks ago for the all-new program.

CNCC is one of five schools in the Scenic West Athletic ConferenceScenic West Athletic Conference of National Junior College Athletic Association. While Utah State University Eastern already had an existing soccer program, the Spartans, SLCC, Snow College and College of Southern Nevada are all entirely new coming into the fall 2016 season. of National Junior College Athletic Association. While Utah State University Eastern already had an existing soccer program, the Spartans, SLCC, Snow College and College of Southern Nevada are all entirely new coming into the fall 2016 season.

Scenic West Athletic Conference of National Junior College Athletic Association. While Utah State University Eastern already had an existing soccer program, the Spartans, SLCC, Snow College and College of Southern Nevada are all entirely new coming into the fall 2016 season.

CNCC was the last to have a program “materialize,” Noble noted, but that serves as a motivation to prove themselves to the rest of the conference.

“I don’t think anyone is going to outwork us,” Noble said. “The girls, we know we’re going to get 110 percent out of whatever they can give us and guys are giving us everything they’ve got.”

While the men’s team features both local and regional talent and players coming from around the country — including Utah, California and Texas — nearly the entire women’s team calls Craig home with the exception of Marilin Villalta from Salt Lake City

Players Jade Brown and Randa Reed both played for Moffat County High School during their time there — graduating in 2014 and 2016, respectively — though each have had a hiatus from the sport of soccer.

“It’s a challenge, but it’s been fun to challenge yourself like that,” Brown said.

Reed added that those overseeing the program — which includes Noble, Joe Eades, Susan Turner and Tim Kaiser — have gotten the best out of them.

“Coach is training us really well and hard so we’re prepared for anything that comes along in a game,” she said.

Organizers plan to make the games a full experience, complete with the American flag flying and national anthem played and an announcer’s booth on site.

Admission will also be free for all home games this season.

While an inaugural season with a strong record is something CNCC would like to have, laying the groundwork for a team that can stick around is even more vital.

“Wins and losses right now are secondary to putting together a quality program with quality kids,” Noble said. “If we can do that this year and get some wins and progress, then we’ve already won.”

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.