Mankato, MN -- North Central University (NCU) men's soccer team squared off with the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings in Mankato this afternoon. The Rams would draw two tough matchups to start UMAC, as they faced the reigning conference champions in UW-Superior earlier this week and then the runner-ups in Bethany today. Having no real answer for the Vikings' offensive attack, NCU would lose 8-2 in this one. 

The game would start slow, with neither team able to get anything going. The first 15 minutes would consist of four offside calls and zero shots on target. However, the Vikings would then find the back of the net in the 17th minute to take the 1-0 lead. The next twenty minutes of play would feature strong defensive play on both sides, with neither team able to capitalize. Then in the 38th minute, BLC would score again, this time off a costally NCU  penalty to double their lead. In the final five minutes of the half, NCU would be peppered with shots from Bethany, cashing on 2 more scores to increase the deficit to four. Goalkeeper Jerad Buse (Kearney, NE) would make 7 first-half saves on BLC's 18 total shots. Struggling to get themselves out of the half, the Rams would surrender a 4-0 lead to the Vikings. 

The second half of play would start with two more impressive saves by the captain Buse. Bethany would score yet another goal in the 59th minute to make the score 5-0. Looking for anything to stop the bleeding, NCU senior captain Anthony Medina (Elk River, MN) would take it himself to score his second goal of the week, coming in the 65th minute. However, the Vikings would not let up on the gas, scoring twice more to make it 8-1. Late in the game, BLC would foul NCU in the box, leading to freshman midfielder Rodrigo Burgos (South Saint Paul, MN) scoring his second goal of the season. Very much a one-sided affair, Bethany would win the shot on goal differential 20 to North Central's 6, corner kicks 10 to 5, and fouls 5 to 10. The Rams would lose their second game of the year, 8-2 to to the BLC Vikings.

Today's box score can be found here.


Looking Ahead:

The men are once again on the road, this time for a game against Northland College on Tuesday,  Sept. 19th, in Ashland, WI. Game time is 4:30 PM. 

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on men's soccer and all things NCU Athletics.