Cardinal women blank Highline

- WOMEN'S SOCCER

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - Alex Rankin ripped a free kick over the Highline wall into the top left corner of the goal for the game's only goal, lifting North Idaho College past Highline Community College 1-0 in a nonconference match Sunday at Karl Grosch Field.

The goal was set up when Katelyn Sly of NIC (2-2) was tripped while dribbling across the top of the penalty area, resulting in a free kick.

"While Highline took a lot of shots, most of them were from 25 yards or so away from goal, and either not on target or fairly easy for Van Der Mey and Horton to save," NIC coach Dan Hogan said. "We saw more possession and played better defense today against Highline than in the game against Peninsula College (a 5-0 loss Saturday)."

Highline is 2-1-1.

NIC plays host to Treasure Valley on Saturday at 11 a.m. to open Northwest Athletic Conference play.

First half - 1, NIC, Alex Rankin (unassisted), 43:00. Second half - none.

Shots on goal - NIC 6, High 26.

Saves - NIC, Cassy Van Der Mey 2, Tiegan Horton 8; High, Rachel Thompson 1.

- MEN'S SOCCER

Highline 3

North Idaho 0

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - The Cardinals had a couple chances early but couldn't connect, and went on to fall to the defending NWAC champion Thunderbirds (2-0-1) in a rematch of last year's conference tourney title game.

"We were giving up a lot of weight in a lot of spots," NIC coach Ken Thompson said. "They definitely deserved to win. We felt like we were in it the whole way, though, and the freshmen are starting to figure out how physical they'll have to be."

NIC (2-2) plays host to Treasure Valley on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. to open NWAC play.

First half - 1, High, Jandjamuje Maharero (Jacob Jones), 16:00. 2, High, Tyler John (unassisted), 38:00. Second half - 3, Highline, John (Christian Soto-Gonzalez), 74:00.

Shots on goal - NIC 12, High 18.

Saves - NIC, Mitch Markovitz 2, Tanner Horton 1; High, Grayson Raffensperger 3.