KISSIMMEE, Fla. – North Central University men's soccer lost to Bob Jones University Bruins (Greensville, S.C.) 2-0 in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Tournament on Saturday evening in Kissimmee, Florida. Both goals for Bob Jones came in the first half as the Bruins claimed their first NCCAA title in program history.

The first half saw the Rams with heavy offensive pressure. In the first ten minutes of play the Rams maintained possession within their offense. Josué Boutouli (Lomé, Togo/Eagan) lead the offense for the Rams with three shots in the first half and six total for the game. Directly after a series of shots and opportunities for the Rams, in the 18^th minute the Bruins scored a goal from Jared Simmons. The Bruins led 1-0 with 27 minutes remaining in the first half. However, in the 21^st minute sophomore goalkeeper Gabe Hartwig (Eagle River, Wis./Northland Pines) had a fantastic save for the Rams off a Bruins shot within the box. Hartwig drove to his right and grabbed the ball out of the air to keep the Bruins led at 1-0. Two minutes later (23^rd minute) the Bruins would prevail in front of goal. After an earned corner kick, the Bruins played the ball into the top of the box and right the ball into the right just to the right of a diving Hartwig. The Bruins extended the lead to 2-0. Despite the deficit the Rams continued to get opportunities in front of goal but could not find the back of the net. The best opportunity of the half came when the Rams were fouled inside the 18-yard box to earn a penalty kick with one minute remaining in the half. Boutouli stepped up to take the PK and hit the ball into the bottom, left corner but Bruins keeper Andrew Kester made a great save parrying the ball out and away from the net. The first half would end 2-0 in favor of the Bruins.

Second half action saw the Rams outshot the Bruins 8-6 and with viable chances to score. Early in the second half, Hartwig kept the Bruins from another score after a free kick by Andrew Zhang for Bob Jones curled into the box and Gabe snatched the ball out of the air. In the 55^th minute the Rams had an opportunity in front of net with a free kick from 30 yards taken by Danny Williams (Coon Rapids, Minn./Spring Lake Park) almost result in a score for north Central. The Rams kept fighting when in the 71^st minute of play the Rams were able to record shots from Jake Loukinen (Little Falls, Minn./Little Falls), Nick Walker (Spencer, Ind./Owen Valley), and Joe Kornbaum (Little Falls, Minn./Little Falls). Two minutes later in the 73^rd minute the Rams earned another penalty kick when Noah Rambsy (Detroit, Mich./Parkway Christian) was taken down into the box. Senior David Afolabi (Champlin Park, Minn./Champlin Park) stepped up to take the PK but sent it just high of the goal. Bob Jones' defense stood up to the test defending the Rams high powered offense to get the win, 2-0.

North Central University men's soccer finished the tournament in second place after winning their pool play matches against Trinity Baptist Bible, 2-1, and Manhattan Christian College, 2-1, for the chance at the championship title. The Rams finished their 2016 season with an overall record of 15-7-1, which is the best in program history. The Rams saw success outside of NCCAA competition defeating The University of Northwestern-St. Paul twice, scoring 41 goals on the year, and nearly making the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) again for what would have been the second straight year. The Rams will graduate six seniors this year but remain hopeful to keep positive strides in making North Central men's soccer a competitive and winning program that focuses on leadership, competition, service - the core values of North Central athletics.