Cards tie 11th-ranked Snow

COEUR d'ALENE — Sophomore Serena Hand, the reigning Scenic West Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week, has been playing hurt this week. With 13 saves on Saturday against 11th-ranked Snow, you might not realize it. 

"Serena, she's got a sore quad, but she's out there battling. She really kept us in the game today," NIC coach Kellsi Parson said.

Sophomore Amy Smith scored an unassisted goal in the 86th minute for the Cardinals (3-3-2, 3-1-1 SWAC), who played to a conference draw with the Badgers (5-2-1, 3-1-1) at Eisenwinter Field. 

"We had some great conversations about where we wanted to go after Thursday's match," said Parson, whose team lost 3-2 to Utah State-Eastern at home. "I told them we have to have a winner's mentality each time we step on the field. We started a lot better and grew more confident as the game went on."

Snow scored just before halftime to take a 1-0 lead. The Badgers won all three matches via shutout last season. 

"These kids had a revenge mindset," Parson said. "All of the sophomores that played wanted to prove something." 

NIC hosts No. 3 Salt Lake (6-0-2, 4-0-1) on Thursday.

First half — 1, Snow, Saige Meryhew (Maci Nell), 45:00. Second half — 2, NIC, McKenzie White (Molly McClennan), 59:39. 3, Snow, Madi Thurgood (unassisted), 80:57. 4, NIC, Amy Smith (unassisted), 86:53. 

Shots on goal — Snow 15, NIC 6. 

Saves — Snow, Daisy Williams 4; NIC, Serena Hand 13. 

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