Broncbuster men show promise in season-opening loss to Trinidad State

By Mike Pilosof

Trinidad, CO-Mother Nature can definitely be cruel. Just ask first-year Broncbuster men's soccer coach Scott Westbrook.

An hour and a half lightning delay changed everything as No. 6 Trinidad State scored four goals in the second half in a 4-0 win over Garden City on Tuesday night.

"I thought our guys played really well," Westbrook said. "They had the energy, and they had the drive. But I really think that storm affected us more than Trinidad."

Freshman Christopher Badibengi got the Trojans on the board with a goal in the 57^th minute. He added his second score in the final two minutes of the match.

"They're (Trinidad State) a very big team," Westbrook said. "They were fast, but that's we expected from the sixth-ranked team in the country."

Ruben Ramirez's goal in the 74^th minute put Trinidad State (1-0) up 2-0 before Jonathan Ordaz scored six minutes later to make it 3-0.

"We learned a lot as a team," Westbrook added. "It was a pretty good game until things got away from us late in the match."

Trinidad State outshot the Broncbusters 9-5. Goalie Hemir Lopez had three saves in his Garden City debut.

Next up: Garden City's home opener on Friday, Aug. 25 vs. Otero at 3 p.m.