NWAC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS: This one mattered

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

COEUR d'ALENE — In the spring, the North Idaho College women's soccer team won only once, a 1-0 win over Walla Walla in April.

There was no postseason in the Northwest Athletic Conference, just scrimmage games within each region after starting the season in April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

How things have changed in the fall.

Addison McCulloch, a freshman from Highland High in Pocatello, scored the lone goal of the match for the Cardinals in the 30th minute in a 1-0 win over the Whatcom Orcas in the opening round of the Northwest Athletic Conference Championships at Eisenwinter Field on Wednesday.

“It was just bouncing around,” McCulloch said. “Lauren (Oliva) got it back, I called for it and dropped it in.”

Sophomore Hailee Mize, who attended Vallivue High in Caldwell, had eight saves for NIC.

“It means a lot,” Mize said. “We’ve been through so much since we got here. I didn’t get to play much as a freshman, which is normal. Last year, it meant nothing to come out here. Now, we’ve had a winning season. It’s actually been an incredible season.”

NIC (12-5-0) had lost three straight games entering the playoffs.

“We came to play,” NIC coach Kellsi Parson said. “We were on a little bit of a losing streak there, and going into the playoffs, it was a little nerve wracking. I knew after the last two practices we were ready to go. We’re one step closer.”

Whatcom finishes (8-5-6).

“They were quick,” Parson said. “Defensively, they were super organized in their midfield. They were winning 50/50 balls left and right. Everything they were doing, it looked like us and it was more challenging than we’d thought it was going to be.”

NIC advances to the quarterfinals to face Highline (11-2-1) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

“I think we’re ready,” Parson said. “Highline’s good and the No. 1 seed for a reason. We’re going to have to come ready to play with our possession game and our defense is going to have to be as good as they were today.”

“We’ve watched film on them and noticed they play a fast game much like us,” Mize said. “We had to figure out how to get around it.”

NIC won seven of its first eight games to start the season.

“This wasn’t our best game,” McCulloch said. “If we come out and play a little better, I think we’ve got a good chance.”

First half — 1, NIC, Addison McCulloch (Lauren Oliva), 30:26. Second half — none.

Shots on goal — WCC 8, NIC 4.

Saves — WCC, Jessica Melvin 3; NIC, Hailee Mize 8.