COEUR d’ALENE — It wasn’t meant to be this time around, but the next time — especially in a rivalry series such as the emerging one between the Community Colleges of Spokane and North Idaho College — the teams are getting that much closer to each other.

Sophomore Breno Rocha scored both Sasquatch goals, the first coming in the 16th minute and the second in the 83rd minute off a penalty kick, in a 2-0 win over the Cardinals at Eisenwinter Field on the campus of NIC on Wednesday.

“I thought we defended well, and I thought we connected well,” NIC coach Ken Thompson said. “I thought our anticipation was better than it had been in the last two games. The guys battled and were relatively composed. OK, we lose 2-0, but it’s nothing lost here today. That’s a well organized, well coached team.”

Wednesday was the first of three East Region matches between the schools, with NIC going to Spokane Falls on Oct. 8 and another match at NIC on Oct. 26.

“We’ve always played them, even when they weren’t in the league,” Spokane coach Kenny Krestian said. “Kenny and I grew up playing soccer against each other, so it’s fun to get to play them. We know we’re going to get good competition, and it shows each match. We’re just hoping to get out of it healthy and injury-free.”

Rocha’s first goal was unassisted for Spokane (3-3-2, 3-1 NWAC), which leads the region with nine points. Walla Walla is second with seven points.

NIC is 1-5-2, 1-3.

“They’re a team that we thought we could press a little bit and get the ball in the backfield a little more, and we did that,” Thompson said. “We tried some different formations with different personnel. We were able to swing the ball around a little bit better in the second half, which is something we’ve been building on. We’re getting closer to the goal, and with all those things coming together, we should be getting better really soon.”

NIC nearly tied the match in the first half, but the ball was saved by a defender late in the half.

“The one in the first half, if we punch the ball in, we’re playing four (defenders in the back) in the second half and get away from allowing that second goal,” Thompson said.

Coeur d’Alene High product and NIC sophomore goalkeeper Garrett Boyce had five saves.

“Garrett’s been fantastic this year,” Thompson said. “He’s calm, he collects the ball and he’s put in so much work over so many years. And now he’s playing every minute of every match. And he’s got fantastic reflexes and a guy that likes to play with his feet. And you can see his soccer IQ carry over into the game.”

“I feel like our defense played decent,” Boyce said. “We just need to clean up some of the mistakes we’ve been making early in the season. I think we’re figuring things out with what guys fit where.”

Boyce is drawing interest from Eastern Oregon and Southern Oregon.

“It’s just been a little talk so far,” Boyce said. “But I’m interested. It hasn’t gone very far quite yet, but there’s definitely some interest.”

NIC had a pair of scoring chances midway through the second half, but had shots sail wide of the net.

Raymond Ruano had four saves for Spokane.

“I think every team has a game plan, and our strength is to try and possess the ball a little bit and control the match,” Krestian said. “When we put our foot on the ball, I think that dictated the match. It made things difficult in the second half with what they were doing, but we’re glad to get out of here with a win. We’ll be back here in a month and we’ll see where we’re at then and see how we do again.”

First half — 1, CCS, Breno Rocha (unassisted), 16:00. Second half — 2, CCS, Rocha (penalty kick), 83:00.

Shots on goal — CCS 6, NIC 4.

Saves — CCS, Raymond Ruano 4; NIC, Garrett Boyce 5.