Cardinal women suffer tough loss in district semifinals

| November 5, 2011 9:00 PM

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - After the North Idaho College defense tripped in the mud late in the first half, the NJCAA tournament dream soon followed on Friday afternoon.

Stephanie Bonilla chipped a shot over NIC goalkeeper Allysa Howell that hit the crossbar, leading to Perla Hernandez scoring the lone goal in the 34th minute as the Butler Grizzlies of Eldorado, Kan., beat the eighth-ranked Cardinals 1-0 in the semifinals of the women's District B soccer tournament.

"We played well enough to win the game," NIC coach Dan Hogan said. "We just didn't find a way to put the ball in the back of the net."

After Howell attempted to make a play on the ball, she slipped on the muddy field, leading to the Hernandez goal from right in front of the net.

"The field was a little rough," Hogan said. "They got a bunch of rain and a little bit of snow on Thursday morning and parts of it were a little soft, but it wasn't the field that cost us the game. Our defense was a little lapsed getting to the chip and that's how they were able to get the rebound off."

NIC, which outshot Butler 14-10, finishes the season 14-2-1.

"It just wasn't our day today," Hogan said. "But we just couldn't find the right touch today to put the ball in the back of the net. That's the funny thing about soccer, the better team doesn't always win."

NIC will graduate 11 players from this year's team.

"It was especially difficult for the sophomores who worked so hard last spring and this fall to reach their goal of going to the national tournament," Hogan said. "It was a disappointing loss after such a great season."

Butler (18-3-1) will face Laramie County today for the District B championship and a berth to nationals. Laramie County (Cheyenne, Wyo.) beat Hutchinson 2-1 in the other semifinal.

First half - 1, BCC, Perla Hernandez (unassisted), 34:00. Second half - none.

Shots on goal - NIC 14, BCC 10.

Saves - NIC, Allysa Howell 6; BCC, Melanie Nuessen 8.

NIC to play

Pima in finals

TUCSON, Ariz. - Pima Community College of Tucson defeated Northwest College of Powell, Wyo., 3-0 in the semifinals of the men's West District tournament.

Pima (17-6-1) will face North Idaho (6-7-3) in the championship game today at 2:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to the NJCAA tournament Nov. 17-20 in Phoenix.