NIC men to host first soccer playoff game since 2006

COEUR d'ALENE - Two of the top four teams in the Northwest Athletic Conference - at least, according to the coaches poll - will collide Saturday at North Idaho College's Eisenwinter Field in the quarterfinals of the NWAC men's soccer tournament.

Top-ranked NIC (15-1-2), back in the conference after years in the NJCAA, plays host to Peninsula College (13-1-4) of Port Angeles, Wash., ranked tied for third, on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

The winner advances to the semifinals next Saturday in Tukwila, Wash.

"The guys are excited, and a bit anxious," NIC coach Ken Thompson said.

Peninsula defeated Pierce Community College of Tacoma 3-0 in the first round on Wednesday. NIC, which won the East Region, earned a first-round bye.

"They're a big, athletic team," Thompson said of Peninsula. "Out of 32 guys on their team, 16 are foreigners. We're a very athletic team - bigger, stronger, faster. Athletically, they match up with us well. It should be a physical game, and it could be a muddy game."

Alas, this week's rain has soggied Eisenwinter Field, and the Cardinals have practiced elsewhere so as not to make it worse.

NIC last hosted a men's soccer playoff game in 2006, following to perennial NJCAA power Yavapai of Prescott, Ariz., with a trip to nationals on the line. NIC's men and women last played in the NWAC in 2004.

Thompson said the top NWAC men's soccer teams - Peninsula, Highline, Walla Walla last year - are comparable with the top NJCAA teams.

NIC sophomore Adam Talley, from nearby East Valley High, is the conference's leading scorer with 20 goals.

"And everywhere we go, we've got two guys yelling his number (on defense), and so we've had other guys step up," Thompson said.

Thompson said he has been impressed with his team's "tremendous spirit."

"We're very athletic, but we also play with a lot of heart," he said.

NIC has scored an NWAC-high 53 goals this season, Peninsula 14. NIC has given up 17 goals, Peninsula 14.