Cardinal women get helping Hand, down Utah State-Eastern

COEUR d'ALENE — Serena Hand, a freshman goalkeeper, had five saves for North Idaho College, which scored two goals in less than four minutes in the second half to move past Utah State-Eastern 2-0 in a Scenic West Athletic Conference match at Eisenwinter Field on Saturday. 

"Serena has been unbelievable the last few games for us," said NIC coach Kellsi Parson, whose team can clinch a berth to the Region 18 tournament with a win at home Thursday against Colorado Northwestern. "She's playing like one of the top keepers in the NJCAA."

Freshman Amy Smith scored in the 73rd minute to give NIC a 1-0 lead. Freshman McKenzie White followed in the 77th for the Cardinals, who lost 1-0 to the Eagles on Sept. 21 in Price, Utah. 

NIC (7-6-2, 6-5-1 SWAC), which is third in the conference, hosts fourth-place Colorado Northwestern on Thursday at 1 p.m. The top four teams advance to the Region 18 tournament.

Utah State-Eastern is 6-7-2, 4-7-1. 

First half — none. Second half — 1, NIC, Amy Smith (Alvine Dah-Zossu), 73:47. 2, NIC, McKenzie White (unassisted), 77:26.  

Shots on goal — USUE 6, NIC 5. 

Saves — USUE, Sarah Newman 3; NIC, Serena Hand 5. 

To view the full article, please visit the CDA Press at this link.