Cardinal soccer teams open with victories

MEN'S SOCCER

COEUR d'ALENE - Ethan Olson had two goals and an assist to lead the North Idaho Cardinals past the Western Wyoming Mustangs 4-1 on Saturday in the season opener at Eisenwinter Field.

"It was a strong start for us to get a win on our home field," NIC coach Scott Moorcroft said. "We struggled a little bit in the second half and have some things to work on, but it was a good match for everyone at home to start the season. Ethan was definitely the difference in the match."

Evan Frobe and Chad Ward added goals for NIC (1-0), which travels to Columbia Basin on Tuesday.

First half - 1, NIC, Ethan Olson (unassisted), 12:00. 2, Evan Frobe (Olson), 25:00. Second half - 3, WW, Miguel Maca (Edwin Sanchez), 63:00. 4, NIC, Chad Ward (Jamil Lawyer), 78:00. 5, NIC, Olson (Ian Velikoff), 84:00.

Shots on goal - WW 7, NIC 23.

Saves - WW, Taylor Whetman 10. NIC, Dana Ashton 4, Alex Watson 3, Alex Olmos 2.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

North Idaho 4

Western Wyoming 0

COEUR d'ALENE - Lauren Gibson had nine saves for the Cardinals in a shutout win over the Mustangs in their season opener at Eisenwinter Field.

"We came out confident and ready to play a home game," NIC coach Dan Hogan said. "Everyone was real excited to get on the home field. Our kids were looking for each other and making some runs off the ball for each other."

Former Lake City High standout Nicole Medeiros and former Coeur d'Alene High midfielder Hayley Smith added goals in the 56th and 58th minute respectively for NIC (1-0), which hosts Eastern Oregon today at 2 p.m.

Demi Wignot opened the scoring on an assist from Melissa Hug in the 25th minute and Kristin DeCroix closed the scoring on a corner kick in the 80th minute for NIC.

First half - 1, NIC, Demi Wignot (Melissa Hug), 25:00. Second half - 2, NIC, Nicole Medeiros (Tia Sharp), 56:00. 3, NIC, Hayley Smith (penalty kick), 58:00. 4, NIC, Kristin DeCroix (corner kick), 80:00.

Shots on goal - WW 10, NIC 13.

Saves - WW, Katie Engstrom 13. NIC, Lauren Gibson 9.

VOLLEYBALL

Cardinals finish 3-2 at CSI tourney

TWIN FALLS - NIC split in a pair of matches on Saturday at the Buffalo Wild Wings/Hilex Poly Let's Get It Started tournament at the College of Southern Idaho.

Danielle Hodge had eight kills and Tina Strahinic added six kills as 11th-ranked NIC defeated Casper College 25-13, 25-22, 25-16. Brenna Peterson had 12 assists and Kyona Hunt had eight digs for NIC.

"We were able to play everyone," NIC coach Colleen Frohlich said. "We've got a better idea of what we can do, which is a good thing."

In the second match of the day, NIC lost to top-ranked Southern Idaho 25-23, 25-18, 25-20.

Strahinic had 15 kills and Hodge added 10 for NIC (3-2), which travels to the Salt Lake Community College tournament Friday and Saturday.

"We came out strong against CSI," Frohlich said. "We just kind of let down a little bit. Our passing broke down, which hurt our offense. But we'll figure out how to win those games."