Cardinals keep going in NWAC tournament

VANCOUVER, Wash. — At halftime of Wednesday's opening round match at the Northwest Athletic Conference Championships, North Idaho College coach Kellsi Parson knew her team could be better.

She knew they had more left in the tank.

Then, the Cardinals responded.

Freshman Cora Anderson scored on a free kick in the 87th minute, then sophomore Teresa Ledezma scored six minutes later, sending the Cardinals to a 2-1 double overtime win over the Clark Penguins at the Harmony Sports Complex.

"We played in a downpour and it was another rainy game for us," said Parson, who advanced to the Elite Eight for the third straight year. "They outshot us (7-2) in the first half, and we just didn't look good. We made some substitutions and they put one in. But our girls never gave in."

Clark's Stephanie Llanos scored in the 77th minute to break the scoreless tie before Anderson's goal pulled it even.

"Cora has put a bunch of kicks on frame, but they never went in," Parson said. "Today, the girls just decided they weren't done with the season. In that second half, they didn't look tired. We didn't want to go to PKs again, and just did what we had to do to get a win."

NIC (14-4-3), the third seed from the East Region, advances to face Peninsula (15-0-2), the top seed from the North Region on Saturday at noon in Port Angeles, Wash.

NIC lost 2-1 to Peninsula on Aug. 19 in Port Angeles.

"There was just no quit in this group," Parson said. "We talked about it not being the end of our journey at halftime. Coming back with a goal in the 80th minute is hard to do. What our girls did today was incredible."

First half — none. Second half — 1, Clark, Stephanie Llanos (Jocelyn Heath), 79:29. 2, NIC, Cora Anderson (free kick), 87:37. First overtime — 3, NIC, Teresa Ledezma (unassisted), 93:39. Second overtime — none.

Shots on goal — NIC 7, Clark 4.

Saves — NIC, Kaycee Chavez, 3; Clark, Amanda Jeschke, 5.

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