REGION 18 MEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT: Cardinals ousted by Salt Lake

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — One shot North Idaho College's way extended its season on Bruin Field on Oct. 23 against Salt Lake Community College. 

A shot the other way ended the Cardinals' season on Thursday afternoon on the same field.

Salt Lake's Ryan Moteng scored on a screamer from 20 yards out in the 63rd minute for the second-seeded Bruins in a 1-0 win over third-seeded NIC in the semifinals of the Region 18 Tournament, ending the Cardinals' season at 13-6-1. 

"I am extremely proud of our team this year," third-year NIC coach Brad Williams said. "We showed a lot of grit to make the playoffs in a very difficult league as the table showed."

NIC beat Salt Lake 1-0 in Taylorsville, then beat Colorado Northwestern to clinch a postseason berth for the second straight year since rejoining the NJCAA's Scenic West Athletic Conference.

NIC finished the season ranked 10th by the United Soccer Coaches Association. 

"That just shows the respect NIC has as a national powerhouse," Williams said. 

Salt Lake (11-3-4) faces top-seeded Snow (14-4) in the championship match on Saturday. Snow defeated fourth-seeded Utah State-Eastern (10-5-2) 4-1 to advance. 

First half — none. Second half — 1, SLCC, Ryan Moteng (unassisted), 63:36. 

Shots on goal — NIC 3, SLCC 8. 

Saves — NIC, Ariel Martinez 8; SLCC, Jackson Medina 3. 

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