MANKATO, Minn.-- North Central University Men's Soccer was downed by Bethany Lutheran College, 3-0, in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference season opener for both teams. The match is also the debut overall for the Rams in the UMAC.

Bethany Lutheran (2-3, 1-0) scored in the 15th minute and added another just before the inierval in the 41st minute to establish control in the match. BLC recorded a 13-4 shot advantage in the first 45 minutes.

North Central (1-3-1, 0-1) looked to bounce back in the second half but, despite some chances to score, the Rams conceded a third goal in the 57th minute to equal the final margin in the contest.

Overall the Vikings out shot NCU 27-8. Three Rams players recorded two shots.

Junior goal keeper Nathan Kraines (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) recorded 11 saves in the loss. 

North Central will be back in action on Saturday with their second UMAC game of the year when the Rams take on Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) in New Ulm at Noon. The Knights lost their conference season opener 5-2 to Northwestern College (St. Paul, Minn.) at home on Friday afternoon.