* WOMEN

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - Emilee Cordon, a freshman from Coeur d'Alene High, scored a hat trick as the North Idaho College women's soccer team opened its season with a 4-0 victory over Western Wyoming Community College on Friday.

Post Falls High product Aubree Mercier had three assists for the Cardinals. On the third one, she beat a defender on the right side of the penalty area and drove a ball toward the far post. Kellsi Parson, making a run toward the middle of the goal, deflected the drive into the left side of the goal.

NIC plays Salt Lake Community College today in Rock Springs.

First half - 1, NIC, Emilee Cordon (Aubree Mercier), 8:00. 2, NIC, Cordon (Mercier), 10:00. Second half - 3, NIC, Kellsi Parson (Mercier), 59:00. 4, Emilee Cordon (Anna Valentime), 65:00.

Shots on goal - NIC 6, WWCC 2.

Saves - NIC, Hannah Slinkard 0, Whittni Mundel 0, Alex Rodriguez 0. WWCC, Breanne Demar 2.

W. Wyoming 4

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - The Cardinals outshot the hosts, but were unable to find the net in their season opener.

"Both teams are young, but we're very young in the back, and we played that way," NIC coach Ken Thompson said. "We played tentative ... we were more afraid to make a play than take a risk."

Down 2-0, NIC pushed forward in an attempt to score, but as sometimes happens, Western Wyoming was able to capitalize on less manpower in the midfield to score two more goals in the final 15 minutes.

NIC plays the Weber State club team today.

First half - 1, WW, Richard Harris, 25:00. Second half - 2, WW, Taylor Egbert, 55:00. 3, WW, Egbert, 76:00. 4, WW, Greg Howard, 84:00.

Shots on goal - NIC 12, WW 10.

Saves - NIC, Justin Johnson 2, Tanner Jones 3. WW, Mitch Jensen 7.