Cardinal men score key victory

| October 16, 2011 9:00 PM

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Kiefer Lee had a goal and an assist as the North Idaho College men's soccer team defeated the Westminster junior varsity of Salt Lake City 3-1 on Saturday.

Lee broke a 1-all tie when his free kick from 25 yards out early in the second half bounded off the bottom of the crossbar, bounced off the left post and hit the ground just behind the goal line before bounding back into the field of play.

"We definitely dominated the game, definitely had the majority of possession," NIC coach Ken Thompson said. "After getting shut out yesterday, it was good to score a few goals."

NIC (6-5-2) plays Wednesday at Community Colleges of Spokane, needing just a tie to qualify for the West District playoffs in Arizona in two weeks.

First half - 1, NIC, Chad Ward (Kiefer Lee), 18:00. 2, West, Vincent Valuski (unassisted), 37:00. Second half - 3, NIC, Lee (free kick), 57:00. 4, NIC, Louis Williams (Mike Leptich), 86:00.

Shots on goal - NIC 11, West 4.

Saves - NIC, Dana Ashton 3; West, Vamir Sabanovic 8.

Colorado 2

North Idaho 0

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Jennifer Nichols had a goal and an assist as the Buffaloes gold club team handed the seventh-ranked Cardinals their first loss.

Nichols opened the scoring in the first half after inadvertainly kneeing NIC goalkeeper Hannah Slinkard in the head. While Slinkard was on the ground, Nichols kicked the ball into the open goal for the early lead.

"We were a little tired after yesterday's match and it definitely had a difference today," said NIC coach Dan Hogan, whose Cardinals beat Laramie County 2-0 on Friday. "Colorado was the best team we've played all year. For our physical condition today, it just wasn't our day and we couldn't score."

Lauren Gibson had eight saves for NIC (12-1-1), which travels to Gonzaga to face their club team on the intramural field on Saturday.

First half - 1, CU, Jennifer Nichols (unassisted), 30:00. Second half - 2, CU, April Fister (Nichols), 80:00.

Shots on goal - NIC 9, CU 12.

Saves - NIC, Hannah Slinkard 2, Lauren Gibson 8; CU, Becky Smith 9.