MINNEAPOLIS -- North Central University (NCU) hosted the Crown College Storm in a non-conference match on Tuesday afternoon in the second match of a Men and Women's doubleheader. Neither team found the back of the net in the first period, but both made some noise in the final 45 minutes off play. Crown struck first with an impressive give and go, but the Rams knotted the game back up late with a penalty kick that floated past the Crown keeper from the foot of
Henry Puchuela. Crown added a goal just 4 minutes later that proved to be the decider in the hard fought 2-1 victory for Crown.
Game Vitals
- NCU out shot Crown 16 : 10
- Freshman Samuel Bang made his first career start in goal
- A Crown foul set the Rams up with a penalty kick (PK) in the 62nd minute
Game Recap
Crown got the action rolling early, registering the first shot of the contest in the first minute of the match. The Rams were able to combat the offensive aggression with some impressive defense in the early going. After the two settled in, the match turned into somewhat of a bath and forth chess game as both attempted to methodically move the ball into scoring zones. Although each found a few opportunities, neither team could find the back of the net in the first period, sending them to the break knotted at 0-0. Coming out of the break, Crown was the first to make a move with a goal coming in just the first several seconds of the half. Looking for an answer, NCU remained aggressive, coming up just short on the few opportunities. In the 62nd minute, the aggression paid off as a mental error from a Crown defenseman, put
Henry Puchuela in a position to tie the game up with a PK, and he squirted one right past the outstretched arms of the Crown keeper. The Storm were back on the search for an answer of their own and they found one in the form of Zach Skorik who broke lose down the sideline and set a ball straight down passed Bang in the net. The late Crown goal was enough the fend of the Rams as they come away with the tight 2-1 victory
Key Performers
Next Up
The Rams have a quick turnaround as they are back of home for their second of three home games this week. NCU is set to host Finlandia University at 2:00 p.m. on Elliot Park Field.
MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact
Mike Knipe at 612-343-3541, or email mjknipe@northcentral.edu.
