MEN'S SOCCER

DES MOINES, Wash. - Rodger Bucknor scored his eighth goal Thursday, as the North Idaho College Cardinals downed Highline 2-1 on the road.

"At this point in the season, we're just trying to play well and stay healthy," NIC coach Ken Thompson said. "It was a pretty ragged half on both sides. We settled the ball down and played an intelligent final three minutes. We created some opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the game.

"Shane (Stanley) played him into the penalty area on a short pass, Rodger took a touch toward the middle of the field and he threaded through a crowd into the far left corner."

"It was a very calmly taken finish with a lot of traffic in there," Thompson said.

Adam Talley and Bucknor have both scored eight goals to lead the Cardinals this season.

NIC will find out Monday who and when it will play next. The Cardinals will play in the opening round of the Region 9 Tournament in La Junta, Colo.

First half - 1, NIC, John Ray (Adam Talley), 3:00. 2, High, David Loeung (unassisted), 30:00. 3, NIC, Rodger Bucknor (Shane Stanley), 93:00.

Shots on goal - NIC 8, Highland 9.

Saves - NIC, Tanner Jones 3, Highland, Jason Banknecht 5.

VOLLEYBALL

North Idaho d.

Colorado Northwestern

COEUR d'ALENE - Anyssa Matheson had five kills and Brittany Aldridge had six kills on nine attempts to lead the 16th-ranked Cardinals past the Spartans 25-11, 25-12, 25-16 in a Scenic West Athletic Conference match at Christianson Gym.

"Everyone played a little bit tonight," NIC coach Miles Kydd said. "I'm not happy because we missed 10 serves and for a team that doesn't challenge too often, that's not good. Hopefully we learned a little bit from this match and come out with some more passion and execution on Saturday."

Russia Robinson had 15 digs for NIC (11-8, 4-2 SWAC), which hosts Utah State-Eastern (5-26, 1-5) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Colorado Northwestern is 3-23, 0-6. In other SWAC play on Thursday, No. 8 Southern Idaho (17-7, 5-1) beat Utah State-Eastern 25-14, 25-22, 25-21 in Twin Falls.