Mount Vernon, IA  – Thursday, North Central University (NCU) Men's Soccer headed on the road for a non-conference matchup versus the Cornell College (CC) Rams. The Rams, returning to non-conference play after a handful of UMAC matches, looked to come out with a win on the road. Despite a competitive first half and goals from junior midfielder Santiago Grams and freshman forward Samuel Tivane Jr., NCU ultimately fell 5-2.

The match began with both teams trading early opportunities before Cornell struck first in the 17th minute. North Central quickly responded with organized possession through the midfield, leading to the equalizer in the 30th minute. Santiago Grams, who has been a consistent attacking presence for the Rams this season, buried a composed finish off an assist from senior midfielder Ricardo Vera Martinez, bringing the score to 1-1. Just moments later, Cornell regained the lead on a quick counterattack, sending NCU into halftime trailing 2-1. Still, the Rams showed strong composure through stretches of play, highlighted by several set-piece chances and a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks during the opening period. Sophomore goalkeeper Trystin Procyk kept the Rams close with three crucial saves before the break, including a diving stop on a low shot to the far post.

To start the second half, freshman goalkeeper Owen Ellefson took over between the posts for North Central. Cornell capitalized early, scoring their third goal just seconds into the half. NCU continued to push forward with pace from Samuel Tivane Jr. and freshman midfielder Francisco Ramirez, creating several chances in transition. Ellefson was tested repeatedly, facing 21 shots in the second period and recording 6 saves to keep the Rams within striking distance. In the closing minutes, North Central found their second goal in the 86th minute when Tivane Jr. finished a well-placed ball from Ramirez to cap off a strong offensive sequence. Despite the late push, Cornell added two more goals late in regulation to close out the match. The stat sheet told the story of a relentless effort from NCU against a high-volume shooting team. North Central would fall 5-2 on the road. 

Looking Ahead:

Up next, men's soccer will head to Mankato, MN on Saturday, October 21st, to take on Bethany Lutheran College. That game will kick off at 3:30 PM from Scheels Field.

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