MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- On a night where most stat lines were even Men's Soccer was outdone by an opponent who was better able to finish in the final third of the field. That resulted in a 3-0 home loss to Martin Luther College at home on Saturday evening. 

North Central (1-4, 0-2) surrendered a highlight reel goal in the 33rd minute when a Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) fired in a ball from deep in the right corner that crossed the mouth of the goal and ricocheted off the far post an angle that was just right to deflect back into the left side netting. That would be all the scoring in the first 45 minutes.

After several good North Central chances in the early part of the second half MLC broke the match open with another score in the 59th minute to make it 2-0. The Rams would respond with more pressure on the Knights net but as would be the theme, never got it in the back of the net. 

Martin Luther added another goal in the 73rd minute to all but ice the conference victory. 

North Central was out shot by a narrow 17-15 margin and committed just two more fouls (12-10). 

North Central will be back in action next Friday when they make the northern swing for UMAC action at The College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, Minn.) and Northland College (Ashland, Wis.). Friday the Rams play at CSS at 2 p.m. Saturday NCU takes on Northland at Noon.