Cardinal men salvage tie with Gonzaga club team
* MEN'S SOCCER
SPOKANE - Something North Idaho College coach Ken Thompson has never seen in his career happened Saturday at Gonzaga University, in a tie against the school's club team.
Around the 72nd minute, 6-foot-3 fullback Will Mecier attempted a bicycle kick and hit the post, after fullback Robert Wilson hit a free kick to the middle of the penalty box area. Wilson put in the rebound to salvage the 2-2 tie for the Cardinals (6-4-2).
After NIC forward Rodger Bucknor scored in the 23rd minute of the first half, Gonzaga answered with two quick second-half goals.
"I've never seen a 6-3 guy hit a bicycle kick," Thompson said. "(Gonzaga's club team) broke loose a few times. They've got a lot of speed up top. We had a few where Rodger missed the post by less than a foot. We had shots that we really should've put them on frame."
Three NIC starters were limited, due to injuries. Center fullback TJ Merwin out for at least two weeks with a sprained ankle he suffered in a practice on Tuesday. Midfielder Christian Botuli was out with a pulled hamstring. Midfielder Lucas Zirotti only played the game's first 10 minutes, then he sat out with a knee injury.
North Idaho College plays Columbia Basin Wednesday at home.
First half - 1, NIC, Rodger Bucknor (Dillon Allen), 23:00. Second half - 2, Gonz, Brendan Smith (unassisted), 47:00. 3, Gonz, Nick Long (Jared James), 55:00. 4, NIC, Robert Wilson (unassisted), 72:00.
Shots on goal - NIC 7, Gonz 8.
Saves - NIC, Tanner Jones 6, Gonz, Patrick Andrews 5.
* WOMEN'S SOCCER
Corban 1
North Idaho 0
SALEM, Ore. - Katelyn Weaver scored past a diving save attempt by Cardinal goalkeeper Alex Rodriguez, helping the Warriors beat the Cardinals at Sparks Field on the campus of Willamette University.
The match, scheduled for the field at Corban College, was moved to the Willamette due to it being a FieldTurf surface.
NIC attempted to tie the match in the final 10 minutes on a pass from Kellsi Parson to former Sandpoint standout Elle Engel, but the shot sailed over the crossbar.
"We got behind early again, allowing Corban to play more defensively, making it difficult to get many shots," NIC coach Dan Hogan said.
NIC (2-5-2) travels to Clark College today in Vancouver, Wash.
First half - 1, Cor, Katelyn Weaver (Audrey Sullivan), 9:00. Second half - none.
Shots on goal - NIC 6, Corban 12.
Saves - NIC, Alex Rodriguez 8; Cor, Alexis Beattie 3.
* VOLLEYBALL
North Idaho d.
Colo. Northwestern
RANGELY, Colo. - Leeta Grap had 13 kills and eight digs to lead the 17th ranked Cardinals past the Spartans 25-14, 25-10, 25-13 in a Scenic West Athletic Conference match.
"The team did a nice job of taking care of business," NIC coach Miles Kydd said. "We can always be better, but we had a road sweep, which is a good way to start conference. We need to use this as a springboard for a tough home opener next week against Snow College and Salt Lake."
Anyssa Matheson had eight kills and two blocks and Britney Chilcott eight kills and one block for NIC (9-5, 2-0 SWAC), which hosts Snow College (12-5, 0-1) on Thursday at 7 p.m.