MINNEAPOLIS -- North Central University (NCU) welcomed Finlandia University to Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon for one of their final non-conference matches of the season. After falling in a close match to Crown on Tuesday, the Rams flipped the narrative against the Lions. NCU got off to a fast start finding the back of the net in just the 10th minute. The Rams prided themselves on limiting Finlandia's scoring opportunities while efficiently capitalizing on their own. NCU added three more goals to their lead, capped an acrobatic shot sent from
Henry Puchuela as he sent a shot to the net from his back. The Rams suffocated the Lions in the final minutes en route to a 4-0 victory.
Game Vitals
- The Rams were led with goals by two freshman; Buckley (2) and Lebsack (1)
- Rams were out shot by the Lions 16 : 27
- Rams scored on 4 of their 12 shots on goal
Game Recap
The Rams shot out of the gate with their foot on the gas, looking to put the heat on the Lions. Their aggressive mindset paid off in the early going as
Henry Puchuela set up
Weston Buckley for an impressive goal to steal the lead and the early momentum. The Lions appeared to be in striking distance of grabbing the momentum in their favor as they racked up scoring chances late in the first half, but NCU snatched the momentum right back with a late first half score from yet another freshman, Elliot Lebsack. Out of the break, Finlandia was poised to inch back into this one. The Lions continued to pile on scoring opportunities but Ram's keeper,
Samuel Bang, repeatably stifled and of Finlandia's scoring attempts on goal. As the Lions failed to make movement on the scoreboard,
Henry Puchuela hooked up with Buckley again late in the second half to put the game farther out of reach. With the match all but decided, Puchuela added an exclamation goal for the Rams in the waning minutes of the contest as they ran away with a 4-0 victory.
Key Performers
Next Up
NCU has an off day tomorrow as they prepare to jump back into conference play on Saturday. The Rams will host Martin Luther College in the first of three NCU Homecoming events on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff for the men's match is slated for 2:30 p.m.
MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact
Mike Knipe at 612-343-3541, or email mjknipe@northcentral.edu.
