NIC ROUNDUP: Cardinal women clinch playoff bid in soccer

• WOMEN'S SOCCER

COEUR d’ALENE — It might not have been the start North Idaho College women’s soccer coach Kellsi Parson had in mind.

But the result, that was.

Freshman Cora Anderson scored in the 18th minute for the Cardinals, who played to a 1-1 Northwest Athletic Conference draw with the visiting Walla Walla Warriors at Eisenwinter Field on Wednesday, clinching a berth to the conference playoffs starting next Wednesday.

NIC (12-4-4, 8-2-4 NWAC), will be the third seed from the East Region and visit Clark College of Vancouver, Wash., the second seed from the West Region next week. 

“We kind of put ourselves in a hole in the first round through the conference,” Parson said. “But we got the wins and ties when we needed to and played so much better since the start of conference.”

NIC entered the day needing at least a tie to clinch a playoff spot.

“We had so many freshman this year,” Parson said. “Once we figured out each others playing style, everything really changed for us.”

Kaycee Chavez had 10 saves for NIC.

“Kaycee maybe played her best match here,” Parson said. “She really kept us in the game.”

Walla Walla finished 10-6-3, 8-4-2.

First half — 1, NIC, Cora Anderson (unassisted), 18:10. 2, WWCC, Kenna Barry (unassisted), 45:00. Second half — none.

Shots on goal — WWCC 11, NIC 6.

Saves — WWCC, Viv Ochoa 5; NIC, Kaycee Chavez 10.

• VOLLEYBALL

North Idaho d.

Wenatchee Valley

WENATCHEE, Wash. — Jessica Stires had 13 kills, Abigail Beaton 12 kills and four blocks for the Cardinals in an 18-25, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-13 Northwest Athletic Conference win over the Knights, clinching a berth to the conference tournament.

NIC (25-1, 13-0 NWAC) could clinch the East Region title with a win at Blue Mountain of Pendleton, Ore., on Saturday.

Karolyne Wolfgramm had 21 digs, 40 assists, four aces and three blocks, Rachael Stacey nine kills and 18 digs, Omayra Valle 39 digs and Lily Leidenfrost four blocks for NIC.

“It was definitely good for us to be challenged by another team,” NIC coach Brittany Tilleman said. “It’s been my fear lately that could happen, and just how we’d respond. And I’m proud of how they did that tonight. Wenatchee played with some fire and passion, and we had to respond to that. And it was awesome to see.”

Wenatchee Valley is second in the East Region at 17-9, 9-3.

• MEN'S SOCCER

North Idaho 1

Walla Walla 1

COEUR d’ALENE — “It’s a resilient bunch and they just keep fighting.”

And in the regular season finale, that’s exactly what first-year Cardinal coach Brad Williams wanted from his squad.

Freshman Muhammed Diallo scored in the 88th minute for the Cardinals in a 1-1 Northwest Athletic Conference draw with the Warriors in the season finale at Eisenwinter Field.

NIC finished 2-8-4, 1-7-4 in the NWAC, while Walla Walla (7-2-8, 6-2-4) finished second in the East Region.

“We’re a hard team to break down defensively,” Williams said. “Walla Walla was getting frustrated not being able to do anything offensively. It was a good, spirited performance by our guys. We definitely never stopped fighting the entire season. This group has a lot of character.”

Kael McGowan, a freshman goalkeeper from Post Falls High, had 10 saves for NIC, which will move to the National Junior College Athletic Association next fall.

First half — none. Second half — 1, WWCC, Soren Hanson (Kevin Jimenez), 65:22. 2, NIC, Muhammed Diallo (unassisted), 88:12.

Shots on goal — WWCC 11, NIC 4.

Saves — WWCC, Dylan James 3; NIC, Kael McGowan 10.