COEUR d'ALENE - The North Idaho College women's soccer team's chances of qualifying for the postseason got a little more difficult Sunday with a 2-1 loss to the Gonzaga University club team at Eisenwinter Field.

Victoria Varyu intercepted a pass and scored in the first half, and Jenny Hoefel dribbled from midfield, past a couple defenders and scored the eventual deciding goal in the 64th minute for Gonzaga.

Tiffany Draper scored in the 78th minute for NIC (4-6-2), ripping a shot from the right corner of the penalty area that caromed off the post near the upper left corner of the goal and bounded in.

"It was a very good game," NIC coach Dan Hogan said. "Exciting to watch and a difficult result for us Cardinals. We were missing another starting defender as Jamie Gates received a partial tear of her MCL in the game on Friday against Salt Lake CC. Even with the shuffled lineup we came out strong and had four or five good opportunities in the first half, but couldn't convert one of them into the goal.

"It seems if we didn't have bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all."

NIC plays host to Dakota County Technical College of Rosemount, Minn., on Friday. The Cardinals have four games remaining, and need at least three victories, or two wins and two ties, to qualify for the district tournament.

First half - 1, GUC, Victoria Varyu (unassisted), 17:00. Second half - 2, GUC, Jenny Hoefel (unassisted), 64:00. 3, NIC, Tiffany Draper (unassisted), 78:00.

Shots on goal - GUC 10, NIC 8.

Saves: GUC, Kailey Kiefus 3, Chelsea Bucklin 2. NIC, Alex Rodriguez 7.