Cardinal women clinch playoff bid in 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.

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