PHOTO BY MICHAEL CUMMO/WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE - Marshalltown Community College sophomore midfielder Matheus Pereira, left, spins away from Laramie County Community College’s Omar Castruita during Saturday’s North Central District final in Cheyenne, Wyo.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Marshalltown Community College soccer fell short of an automatic qualification for the national tournament after losing to No. 17 Laramie County CC in the NJCAA North Central District Finals.

The No. 7 Tigers went to double overtime before losing 4-3 in penalty kicks.

“This was a very competitive and even match in which LCCC tried to exploit their offensive transition and verticality and we tried to possess the ball to open space to attack,” MCC head coach Rafael Martinez. “Two very different styles that made out a very good contest. I thought that while we moved the ball well from defense to midfield, we weren’t able to create enough clear opportunities upfront.”

The Tiger defense held off six corner kicks and in addition, Laramie County outshot MCC 17-8. The Golden Eagles got off six shots on goal but MCC Goalie Bruno De Freitas recorded all six saves.

In the shootout, Yushi Nagao, Matheus Pereira, and Gustavo Leal scored. Trailing 4-3, Augusto Cunha’s shot was stopped to give LCCC the win.

“When penalties were to decide if the team that moves on, their execution was a bit better and we must accept that,” Martinez said. “Now we depend on an at-large bid for the national tournament in order to extend the season.”

The Tigers’ 14-4-2 record gives the program its ninth consecutive season of a 10-win year. The Tigers also finish the year as the Region XI tournament champions for a second consecutive fall.

“I think this team has continued growing throughout the season and arrived to tournament play with our best version, so regardless of what the committee decides, I am very proud and thankful for the effort the players have put forth, and hope we are given an opportunity to continue demonstrating the quality of this team,” Martinez said. “If that doesn’t happen, I will still remember this year as a very special one, in which we celebrated back to back regional championships, something extremely difficult to accomplish, especially in Region XI.”

MCC will hope for one of four at-large bid to earn a spot in the national tournament.