Last weekend was a mix of good and bad, wins and losses for the Lady Cardinals. They lost 0-2 Friday to Northwest University
“They were a good team,” said head coach Dan Hogan, “But we came out sluggish. They scored both their goals in the first 20 minutes. We played much better in the second half.”
Saturday they defeated Warner Pacific 3-1. Again, Hogan said the girls came out sluggish, but he added that they played better than Friday.
Last season was so close. One goal late in the second half and one shoot-out penalty kick were all that kept NIC out of its first NJCAA women’s soccer tournament last season. The district championship came down to penalty kicks last season against Laramie Community College, which, won 5-4.
“I’m not so sure some of my returning players are actually over it (the loss) yet,” coach Dan Hogan said.
But Hogan also said that those returnees will get a second chance to beat Laramie in a rematch for the district this season.
The Cards lost to the four-year Northwest University Sept. 12, 2-0. However, against University Great Falls Sept. 7, another four-year school, the women won 3-0. Jennifer Putnam, Jenny Dimmler and Lauren Winford recorded goals for the team.
The NIC women return seven players from last season’s 10-7 team that narrowly missed the NJCAA tournament.
Although the Cards have several familiar players on the field, they feature a revamped defense after the loss of central fullback and 2nd-team All-American Jill McAndrews, in addition to veteran defenders Lauren Winterholler and Raquel Homman.
Shayla Roberts, who played outside fullback last season, moved to central defender, were tries to fill the gap left in the absence of last season’s MVP McAndrews.
“We expect her to be our field general on the back line,” Hogan said.
A big part of the defensive responsibility rest on sophomore goal keeper Alicia Kahler.
“Maybe our most important returner is Alicia Kahler,” Hogan said. “She’ll help organize us and be a strong leader as well.”
The offense is missing a key face this season. Rachel Lopez was the team’s leading scorer last year as a freshman. She decided not to pursue soccer further.
“School wasn’t really her type of tea,” Hogan said.
First-year player Natalie Nichols, will take on soccer this season in addition to her point guard duties for the women’s basketball team. She has already made an impact on the field, taking part in all three of the NIC goals against Evergreen State College in the early part of this season.
“She sees everything on the field,” Hogan said. “Vision and reading the game are the same things that make her a good point guard.”
Freshmen Lauren Lindberg will see time at midfield for the Cards this season. Hogan said Lindberg could develop into making a large impact on this year’s season.
‘She potentially could be the best player on the team,” Hogan said. “She is very fast and has great feet.”
The Cards will automatically play in the district tournament against the region 9 winners. NIC is now the only women’s soccer team in the Scenic West Athletic Conference after Western Nevada Community College replaced its soccer team with softball, and Salt Lake Community College ( club team) dropped out because of lack of players.
Hogan said that Laramie will likely win Region 9 and face NIC in the district tournament. A potential warm-up for that game will come during the regular season when the Cards face Laramie Oct. 5, in Cheyenne.
The women’s team will play at home Friday against Western Wyoming Community College then Eastern Washington University (JV) Saturday.
