WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Playing in the finals for the NCCAA regional tournament, the North Central University (NCU) men's soccer team took on Crown College. Although the first part of the game was close, the Rams netted two late goals to seal the deal with a 4-1 final score.

Game Vitals 

• The Rams had three times as many shots as the Storm.
• There were a total of four yellow cards administered in the match.

Game Recap

After winning in the semifinals the previous day, NCU had great energy and play with an intensity that stunned the Storm. The Rams controlled the ball well, combining many passes up the field. The first goal of the match came off a free kick hit by Weston Buckley (Budapest, HU, International Christian School of Budapest) right over CC's keeper's hands. With just two minutes to go in the first half, the Storm got fouled in the box resulting in a made penalty kick goal, tyng up the score 1-1 at halftime.

Despite this goal, the Rams remained in control of the tempo of the game. Anthony Medina (Elk River, MN) got his second goal of the weekend with a well hit ball after it was recycled out of a corner kick. The score most of the second half was 2-1 for the Rams, keeping anyone watching on edge. However, in the 83rd minute, Buckley got the ball about 25 yards out of the box and volleyed it into the upper ninety for his second goal of the game. Shortly after, Elliott Lebsack (Kearney, NE, Kearney High School) hit a bullet on the ground on the rebound of a cross upping the score 4-1.

Outside backs Joseph Majerle (Little Falls, MN) and Camilo Casas (Cape Coral, FL, Ida S. Baker High School) stepped up big, covering any CC player on the wing and shutting them down. Centrally, backs Tyler Johnsen (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes High School) and Evan Ackley (Sun Prairie, WI, Sun Prairie High School) played with poise and kept the Storm out of the box. The excellent play by NCU keeps their season alive as they won today's regional finals.

Looking Ahead

The Rams will head to Florida for the NCCAA national championship tournament the week of November 15th. All fans are encouraged to follow official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates on tournament games and much more information.