NIC ROUNDUP: Cardinal men open with win

• MEN'S SOCCER

STERLING, Colo. — No, North Idaho College didn’t have to turn up the heat on defense in its season opener against host Northeastern Junior College on Thursday. 

The weather did enough of that on its own. 

Sophomore midfielder Ben Innes scored on an assist from sophomore Mohammed Fadel Fall for the game's first goal in the 55th minute for the Cardinals, who beat the Plainsmen 2-1 in the season opener for both programs. 

“We played very well for our first match of the season,” said third-year NIC coach Brad Williams, who added that temperatures were 100 degrees at kickoff. “But the guys stepped up and executed the game plan that we had. I was really happy with our performance.” 

Sophomore Lorian Aerts added a goal in the 70th minute for NIC, which faces Lamar Junior College of Lamar, Colo., today at 4 p.m. PDT in Sterling, Colo. 

First half — none. Second half — 1, NIC, Ben Innes (Mohammed Fadel Fall), 55:00. 2, NIC, Lorian Aerts (Sebastiano Casini), 70:00. 3, North, unknown, 75:00. 

Shots on goal — NIC 9, NJC 6. 

Saves — NIC, Indra Suarjana 6; NJC, unknown, 7. 

• VOLLEYBALL

New Mexico JC d.

North Idaho

MIDLAND, Texas — The Cardinals opened their season with a 25-10, 25-18, 26-24 loss to the Thunderbirds of Hobbs, N.M., in the Midland Kick-Off Classic at the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center.

"Once we settled in our serve receive, we actually started serving tougher as well, which gave us much better opportunities on defense and put runs together," second-year NIC coach Drew Pascua said. "It kept us in it until the end of the second and third set, but a couple of misreads cost us. We've got lots of new faces on the court, so there's still a lot of things to work through. But I know the girls are hungry to get back on the court tomorrow."

No statistics were available.

NIC faces Colby and Midland today as the three-day event continues.