THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Sept. 20, 2014
Whether it's the conference, or the lack of not having to spend as long in a crowded van traveling to matches, there's something special brewing about the North Idaho College men's soccer team this year.
Where it goes, we'll see.
IN CASE you've missed it, the Cardinals have jumped out to a 6-0 start this season, 4-0 in games within the Northwest Athletic Conference, where the school will compete in outdoor sports for the next two years, and completely with basketball and volleyball coming by the 2016-17 school year.
And in the case of the men's soccer team, they've made themselves right at home.
NIC has outscored its opponents 24-2, including four shutouts entering Friday's game at Southwestern Oregon.
"We've got six or eight athletes that like to play a physical style," NIC men's soccer coach Ken Thompson said. "And we haven't had that before."
NIC had been an independent team in the NJCAA in previous years, needing to achieve a .500 or better record by a certain date to qualify for the postseason. Then hop into a van in most cases and travel to Wyoming or Kansas for a district playoff game.
They also possess a balanced attack, with four players with multiple goals, led by Adam Talley with seven and former Post Falls High standout Brady Ulen with four.
"We haven't had as many goal scoring options from 25 to 30 yards out in the past," Thompson said. "But the athleticism of these guys to put them on frame, it's a balanced team. I think we've got six or eight guys that are Division I athletes. Whether that's soccer or not, that's someone else's call, but they can play at the next level."
After this weekend, NIC will play most of its remaining games against East Division rivals (Spokane, Walla Walla, Wenatchee Valley, Treasure Valley, Columbia Basin), with the top three teams advancing to the playoffs.
The division champion earns a first-round bye, with the No. 2 hosting the No. 3.
NIC, with a division title or runner-up finish, could wind up with its travel being limited to Spokane.
"We've played mostly against the South Division - which is supposed to be down," Thompson said. "But if you can score goals, then you can be successful."
JUST IN checking social media after last Sunday's Seattle-San Diego football team, you'd think the sky was falling on the Seahawks following a 30-21 loss.
We'll see.
If it wasn't then, maybe it will be if Denver puts a 43-8 whipping on them Sunday to return the favor from last year's Super Bowl.
Nobody goes undefeated in the NFL anymore. It just doesn't happen.
Good teams find a way to win, no matter where or who they're playing.
Being at home definitely helps.
Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter at JEPressSports.