NIC SOCCER: Cardinal men notch big conference road win

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PRICE, Utah — At this point in the season, any win is a good win. 

North Idaho College notched a big one on Thursday. 

Freshman Federico Bellisi scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute, and the Cardinals went on to beat the Utah State-Eastern Eagles 2-1 in a Scenic West Athletic Conference game on Thursday. 

“It was a fantastic game from the guys,” NIC coach Brad Williams said. “We had about 85% of the possession in the first half and completely dominated the half. In the second half, we had a good portion of the possession, but it was a little more difficult with the wind.” 

NIC (11-4-1, 7-3-1 SWAC) moved into a tie with Southern Idaho (7-6-1, 7-3-1) for third in the conference with 22 points with three matches remaining. Snow (10-4, 8-3) is second in the conference with 24 points. NIC travels to Snow of Ephraim, Utah, on Saturday. 

The top four teams advance to the Region 18 Tournament at the site of the conference champion Oct. 30 and Nov. 1.

Salt Lake is in first place at 8-2-4, 8-1-2, 26 points.

Utah State-Eastern is fifth at 7-4-2, 6-4-1, 19 points. 

First half — 1, NIC, Israel Joseph (Sebastiano Casini), 35:30. Second half — 2, USUE, Andrew Guizar (unassisted), 68:20. 3, NIC, Federico Bellisi (penalty kick), 82:51. 

Shots on goal — NIC 6, USUE 3. 

Saves — NIC, Ariel Martinez 2; USUE, Fabian Serrato Ruiz 4. 

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Utah State-Eastern 3 

North Idaho 0 

PRICE, Utah — The road to the Region 18 Tournament is a little clearer for the Cardinals now; granted its going to be a lot of work getting to the finish line. 

NIC (5-6-3, 5-4-2, 17 points) dropped into fifth place in the Scenic West Athletic Conference following the loss to the Eagles (7-4-3, 5-3-3, 18 points), who moved into fourth place.

Only the top four teams advance to the Region 18 Tournament, at the site of the conference champion starting on Oct. 30. 

“The next three are a must-win situation,” NIC coach Kellsi Parson said. “It’s a bit of a mindset for us, and we just need to show up and turn it back on. Right now, it’s a bit of a struggle. Sometimes you get hot and sometimes you get cold. Right now, we’re pretty cold.” 

NIC travels to second-place Snow (8-3-3, 6-2-3, 21 points) of Ephraim, Utah, on Saturday. The Badgers are ranked 16th in this week’s NJCAA poll. 

“Things just happen during the season,” Parson said. “We’re just on to Saturday right now.” 

First half — 1, USUE, Kate Heaton (unassisted), 21:38. Second half — 2, USUE, Emmalee Christensen (Sarah Newman), 51:01. 3, USUE, Emma Bargeron (unassisted), 61:32.  

Shots on goal — NIC 1; USUE 6. 

Saves — NIC, Serena Hand 3; USUE, Sarah Newman 1.