MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The North Central University (NCU) men's soccer team continued with the homecoming festivities by hosting the University of Northwestern (UNW). The first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference matchup for the Rams was a thriller going into two overtimes. NCU prevailed over the Eagles with a score of 1-0. 

Game Vitals

• Both teams had an even six corner kicks throughout the game.
• At the end of the 90 minutes, both teams were scoreless resulting in two extra ten minute periods where teams play until one scores.

Game Recap

With a large crowd and a shinning sun, the Rams went to battle against the physical Eagles. Most of the play was centrally to start game. It wasn't till the second half that the width of the field was used and it was used well by NCU's outside midfielders Elliott Lebsack (Kearney, NE, Kearney High School) and Adam Vang (Green Bay, WI, Green Bay Southwest High School). In the first half, the Rams had to do a lot of defending with many attacks from UNW. Held together by captain Tyler Johnsen (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes High School), the backline was firm and unwavering against the Eagle's offense. Sam Thurston (Crystal, MN, Robbinsdale Crystal), the goalkeeper for NCU, had an outstanding game. Thurston had 17 saves for the game, conceded no goals, and calmly played the ball with his feet out of the back as well.

As the game intensified, so did the physicality. But the Rams held their composure and kept their heads above the Eagle's emotions, who had a collective 15 fouls in the game. Weston Buckley (Budapest, HU, International Christian School of Budapest) led the Rams with five shots and also controlled the midfield. At the end of regulation time, it was tied 0-0 and the game went into overtime. NCU is no stranger to overtime games, already winning an overtime matchup earlier in the season. They kept pushing against the Eagle's defense until they broke. Once again, Lebsack scored the winning goal for the Rams. NCU is now 3-0 on the season and is hungry for more.

Looking Ahead

Sitting undefeated, the Rams look to celebrate, rest, and work hard this upcoming week. NCU will travel to the University of Minnesota Morris this Friday. The UMAC matchup will begin at 2 pm. All fans are encouraged to tune into official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on the men's soccer team and much more important information.