Womens soccer ends in draw against Columbia Basin

NIC womens soccer ended their final home game of the season in a 1-1 draw against Columbia Basin Wednesday.

Kaysha Bailey had three saves in the game to increase her total to 66 on the season. Bailey has allowed nine goals on the season, which is the sixth fewest in the NWAC among goalies with at least 10 games played.

The Cards had possession most of the game, but couldn’t cash in on enough opportunities to come up on top. NIC out-shot Columbia Basin 13-7, and Sofia Schnepf came away with NIC’s lone goal.

Kaysha Bailey came up with three saves in the contest, and is currently second in the NWAC in save percentage with .880 on the season.

The match was crucial for the Cards as they are currently out of the third and final playoff spot. Looking ahead, the Cards need a little help to make the playoffs with two games remaining on the season. It could get tricky and end up with a play-in game, but here are some potential ways NIC can sneak in:

Sofia Schnepf gets mobbed by her teammates as she scored her eleventh goal of the season, good for sixth most in the NWAC.

• NIC beats or ties Walla Walla. Spokane loses to Columbia Basin. NIC then beats Spokane head to head.
• NIC ends in a draw against Walla Walla. Spokane ends in a draw against Columbia Basin. NIC beats Spokane head-to-head, and then beats Spokane again in a play-in game per NWAC rules.
• NIC beats Walla Walla and Spokane. Columbia Basin loses to Spokane and Walla Walla. NIC beats Columbia Basin in a play-in game.

Up next for the Cards (6-3-3, 8-4-5) is a match at Walla Walla (10-0-1, 15-0-1), Saturday Oct. 26 at noon. NIC came very close to defeating the unbeaten Warriors in their last match-up, but just came up short and lost 2-1. The Cards then play their final game of the season at Spokane (8-3-0, 9-4-1) Wednesday Oct. 30 at 4 p.m.