ASHLAND, Wis.-- After a scoreless first half North Central University Men's Soccer came to life to fire home three goals in the second stanza for a 3-0 conferenc victory over Northland College on Saturday afternoon. The win in Ashland gives the Rams their first conference road win of the year.

After a scoreless first half where the Lumberjacks (0-9, 0-5) outshot NCU 12-6 the Rams offense burst to life in the second 45 minutes. Sophomore Jordan Hurst (Cottage Hills, Ill./Civic Memorial) got the scoring started with his first career NCU goal in the 49th minute on an asssist from senior Andy Manley (Polson, Mont./Polson).

Junior Stephen Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./South) increased the Rams lead with a goal off a corner kick in the 70th minute and that would firmly establish the NCU hold on the contest.

Sophomore Christian Stepaniak (Woodbury, Minn./Maranatha Academy) fired in an additional goal off an assist from junior Kaleb Graham (Bismarck, N.D./Bismarck) in the 82nd minute to equal the final 3-0 scoreline.

Stepaniak's goal gives him the team lead in both goals (4) and points (10).

Junior goal keeper Nathan Kraines (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) earned his third shutout of the season, and second in conference play, while making 21 saves.

The win moves North Central to 3-4-1 on the year and 2-2 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).

The Rams will be back in action on Friday, September 27 with a key UMAC game on the road at Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minn.). The Rams and Storm (3-5, 2-2).