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NIC ROUNDUP: Cardinal men clinch playoff spot

Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 2 months AGO
| October 26, 2025 1:12 AM

• MEN'S SOCCER

RANGELY, Colo. — Drew Hansen, a sophomore from Coeur d’Alene High, scored in the 56th minute for North Idaho College, which clinched a berth into the Region 18 Tournament with a 2-0 win over Colorado Northwestern in the regular season finale for both. 

“The guys played strongly,” third-year NIC coach Brad Williams said. “Colorado Northwestern is a difficult place to play for sure. Even though they don’t have a lot of positive results, they’re a tough team to play for sure. I’m proud of the guys for seeing it through.” 

NIC (13-5-1, 9-4-1 SWAC), will be the fourth seed at regionals and face top-seeded Salt Lake (13-4, 11-3) in a semifinal match at 11:30 a.m. PDT in Taylorsville, Utah. 

“We had a strong showing this season," Williams said. "We're happy to be in the playoffs once again."

Colorado Northwestern finished 2-13-2, 2-11-2. 


First half — 1, NIC, Sebastiano Casini (Federico Ballisi), 22:28. Second half — 2, NIC, Drew Hansen (unassisted), 56:23. 

Shots on goal — NIC 10, CNCC 2. 

Saves — NIC, Ariel Martinez 2; CNCC, Sebastian Barreda 8. 


• VOLLEYBALL

North Idaho d. 

Utah State-Eastern 


COEUR d’ALENE — Allie Ferrin, a sophomore from University High in Spokane, had 31 kills and 14 digs for the Cardinals in a 25-20, 20-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-11 win over the Eagles of Price, Utah., in a Scenic West Athletic Conference match at Christianson Gymnasium. 

“Allie had a monster performance,” NIC coach Drew Pascua said. “Our defense was on point tonight and we found our rhythm behind the service line.” 

NIC (15-11, 4-5 SWAC) moves into fourth place in the conference with one match remaining, moving Utah State-Eastern (15-8, 3-5) into fifth. Only the top four teams advance to the Region 18 Tournament Nov. 6-7 in Taylorsville, Utah. 

The Cardinals host CSI (17-8, 6-3), currently second in the conference), next Saturday to conclude the regular season.  

Freshman Eileen Schmidt had 14 digs, freshman Olivia Zazuetta — the former Lakeland High star — 16 assists, sophomore Riley Dolven 35 assists and eight digs for NIC. 


• WOMEN'S SOCCER

Colorado Northwestern 1 

North Idaho 0 


RANGELY, Colo. — The Cardinals concluded the season with a Scenic West Athletic Conference loss to the Spartans to finish 59-3, 5-7-2 in conference play. 

Lilly Wittwer scored in the 83rd minute for Colorado Northwestern (10-6-1, 8-5-1), which will be the fourth seed in the Region 18 Tournament starting Thursday, facing top-seeded Salt Lake (14-1-2, 12-1-1) in a semifinal match in Taylorsville, Utah. 


First half — none. Second half — 1, CNCC, Lilly Wittwer (unassisted), 83:38.  

Shots on goal — NIC 1, CNCC 3. 

Saves — NIC, Serena Hand 2; CNCC, Jasmine Hernandez 1.