NIC SOCCER: Cardinal men shut out South Puget Sound in opener

• MEN

TUKWILA, Wash. — For an opener, the North Idaho College men’s soccer team had all the right answers.

Sophomore Will Kokernak had a goal and assist, and the Cardinals beat South Puget Sound 4-0 in the season opener for both programs at the Northwest Athletic Conference Friendlies at the Starfire Soccer Complex on Wednesday.

“We defend aggressively across the full field,” NIC coach Ken Thompson said. “The guys, they seem to get along really well and have good chemistry on and off the field. We combined well at the top of the field, and looked pretty athletic. It will take a couple of weeks to see where we fit in, but we did a good job of finishing today.”

NIC will face Edmonds today at noon. The Cardinals were scheduled to face Pierce, which had to pull out of the tournament due to COVID-19 concerns.

First half — 1, NIC, Will Korkernak (Garrett Grillo), 8:00. 2, NIC, Jai Sollis (Kokernak), 28:00. Second half — 1, NIC, Braden Bennett (unassisted), 70:00. 4, NIC, Griffin Teuber (unassisted), 78:00.

Shots on goal — NIC 8, SPS 6.

Saves — NIC, Stuart Heringer, 6; SPS, unknown, 5.

• WOMEN

Lower Columbia 3

North Idaho 1

TUKWILA, Wash. — Addison McCulloch scored in the 88th minute for the Cardinals, who fell to the Devils in the season opener for both at the Starfire Soccer Complex.

NIC is scheduled to face Edmonds today.

First half — 1, LCC, Emersyn Finn (unassisted), 8:00. 2, LCC, Libby Brown (unassisted), 25:00. 3, Jerika Isaacson (unassisted), 36:00. Second half — 4, NIC, Addison McCulloch (unassisted), 88:00.

Shots on goal — NIC 3, LCC 3.

Saves — NIC, Samantha Galbraith 3; LCC, Olivia Hare 2.