Cards come up short against nationally-ranked SLCC

COEUR d'ALENE — Once the host Cardinals attempted to match the fourth-ranked Bruins, things got away from them. 

Salt Lake (7-0-1, 5-0-1 SWAC) scored a pair of second-half goals to beat the Cardinals (3-4-2, 3-2-1) at Eisenwinter Field. 

"In the second half, I think we just didn't play soccer, honestly," NIC women's coach Kellsi Parson said. "We tried to play the long ball game like they do, and Salt Lake is No. 4 for a reason. Defensively, we were really organized in the first half and played the game plan how we wanted to. Their first goal was on a free kick and the other came out of something we were doing that found their feet and the girl played a great ball." 

NIC entered the match second in the Scenic West. 

"The girls played well," Parson said. "I thought Zoey (Glenn) played one of the best games of her career and kept us really organized in back. If we would have been able to get into the attack, it would have been a better game." 

NIC hosts Colorado Northwestern (5-4, 3-3) on Saturday. The Spartans of Rangely, Colo., beat Pacific Northwest Christian 12-0 in other SWAC play Thursday in Kennewick, Wash.

First half — none. Second half — 1, SLCC, Nao Yamada (unassisted), 55:43. 2, SLCC, Avery Thal (unassisted), 82:57. 

Shots on goal — SLCC 12, NIC 5. 

Saves — SLCC, Elle Rafajko 5; NIC, Serena Hand 10. 

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