Cardinal men clinch berth at districts

| October 18, 2010 9:00 PM

• MEN

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. — Ethan Olson scored on a penalty kick in the sixth minute, and North Idaho College went on to beat Western Nebraska 2-0 on Sunday.

The win clinched a berth to the West District championships Nov. 5-6 for the Cardinals (8-7-1). They had to have a record of .500 or better 10 days prior to districts, and their lone remaining game before the deadline is Friday at home vs. Community Colleges of Spokane.

“We’ve had a good run — we’re 5-0-1 in our last six matches,” NIC coach Scott Moorcroft said. “We’ve played well; the team has come together a tremendous amount the last three weeks.

“It feels good; it feels really good.”

Olson received a second yellow card during the game, and the resultant red card left the Cardinals playing a man short for the final 25 minutes. Because of the red card, Olson will miss the CCS match, and because it’s his second red of the season, he may miss NIC’s regular season finale Oct. 30 at Whatcom Community College of Bellingham, Wash. But Moorcroft said Olson should be good to go for the district tournament.

First half — 1, NIC, Ethan Olson (penalty kick), 6:00. Second half — NIC, Diego Esquivias (unassisted), 60:00.

Shots on goal — WN 6, NIC 15.

Saves — WN, Andrei Rodriguez 7; NIC, Alex Olmos 4.

• WOMEN

North Idaho 1

W. Nebraska 1

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. — Demi Wignot’s equalizer in the 11th minute turned out to be the final goal of the game as NIC tied Western Nebraska.

Wignot took a pass some 45 yards from the goal on the right side of the field. She beat the left back and kept dribbling toward goal, slotting the ball past the WNCC keeper near the right post.

NIC coach Dan Hogan said the Cardinals dominated possession throughout the second half and the two overtimes, with Melissa Hug and Meagan Powell just missing on good scoring opportunities.

NIC (10-4-1) plays at the Gonzaga University club team on Saturday.

First half — 1, WNCC, Brittany McNeil (Ashley Gleason). 2, NIC, Demi Wignot (unassisted), 11:00. Second half — none. First overtime — none. Second overtime — none.

Shots on goal — NIC 20, WNCC 15.

Saves — NIC, Allysa Howell 6; WNCC, Jess Taylor 9.