Cardinal men's postseason hopes end

| October 22, 2017 1:00 AM

- MEN’S SOCCER

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — North Idaho College had its chances in the second half, but the one that needed to drop in, didn’t.

Cade Roske’s goal in the 61st minute cut the deficit to 3-2, but the Cardinals came up short to the Walla Walla Warriors by the same score in a Northwest Athletic Conference match on Saturday.

“We played most of the second half in the attacking third,” NIC coach Ken Thompson said. “We had some balls in the goal area, and were getting crosses off at the end line. Once they got the 3-1 lead, they dropped everyone back and really packed it in.”

NIC (6-7-2, 5-4-2 NWAC) was eliminated from postseason contention with the loss after winning its last four matches, and playing to draws in two others.

“It’s been a good stretch, today included,” Thompson said. “It was raining, slick and windy. To get down 2-1 and fight back, it shows the heart and ability we have.”

NIC finishes the season at the Community Colleges of Spokane on Wednesday night.

Walla Walla (11-4, 8-3) travels to Columbia Basin College of Pasco on Wednesday.

First half — 1, WWCC, 18th, Freddy Rodriguez (unassisted). 2, NIC, Irvin Angulo (unassisted). 30:00. 3, WWCC, Alex Anguiano (Enrique Leal), 39:00. Second half — 4, WW, Rodriguez (Juan Martinez), 57:00. 5, NIC, Cade Roske (unassisted), 61:00.

Shots on goal — NIC 9, WWCC 12.

Saves — NIC, Luis Hernandez 7, Tanner Sayer 2; WWCC, Jorge Llerenas 7.

- WOMEN’S SOCCER

Walla Walla 5

North Idaho 1

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Aunika Capps opened the scoring in the 23rd minute for the Cardinals, but the Warriors scored five unanswered goals to claim a Northwest Athletic Conference win.

“Walla Walla is a good team and I would expect them to make the final four,” NIC coach Dan Hogan said. “They are very solid in back and take advantage of their opposition’s mistakes. Their two quick goals in the second half caught us and we just couldn’t get back into the game.”

Walla Walla (17-0-1, 13-0-0 NWAC, 39 points) is the East Region champion and will have a first-round bye in the conference tournament, which starts on Nov. 1. NIC (12-5-0, 10-3-0, 30 points) travels to the Community Colleges of Spokane (11-4-1, 9-2-1, 28 points) on Wednesday. The winner of that match will be the second seed from the East and host an opening round playoff game, while the loser will travel to open the postseason.

First half — 1, NIC, Aunika Capps (unassisted), 23:00. 2, WWCC, Klarissa Barajas (Dominique Velazquez), 36:00. 3, WWCC, Haley Wammock (Velazquez), 45:00. Second half — 4, WWCC, Demeree Mclean (unassisted), 49:00. 5, WWCC, Klarissa Barajas (Chelsea Marozik), 56:00. 6, WWCC, Barajas (Velazquez), 68:00.

Shots on goal — NIC 3, WWCC 16.

Saves — NIC, Kinzie Hunter 4; WWCC, Paige Kubista 2.

- VOLLEYBALL

Cardinals sweep

at Crossover

MOSES LAKE, Wash. — The Cardinals opened play 3-0 on the first day of a Northwest Athletic Conference Crossover tournament at Big Bend Community College.

NIC beat Treasure Valley 27-25, 25-14, Lane 25-17, 25-16 and swept Centralia to improve to 23-4 on the season.

Scores from the Centralia match were not available.

NIC travels to Walla Walla on Friday.