Minneapolis, MN – Wednesday afternoon, the North Central University (NCU) men's soccer team closed out its home schedule with a statement win on Senior Day, taking down the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) Cougars 2-1 at Elliot Park Field. The Rams entered the match determined to change the result from their earlier season draw, and they did just that, capitalizing on a pair of first-half goals and a steady defensive effort to secure the home conference victory.

From the opening whistle, the Rams looked sharp and composed, linking passes cleanly through the midfield and showing intent in the attacking third. Their early pressure paid off just ten minutes in when senior midfielder Ulrich Mvogo opened the scoring. After a well-timed feed from junior Santiago Grams, Mvogo calmly slotted home his fourth goal of the year and gave NCU the early lead. The goal energized the home crowd and set the tone for what would be a strong offensive half for the Rams. Grams continued to make his presence felt, firing multiple shots on goal and forcing the opposing goalkeeper into tough saves. North Central's confidence only grew as the half went on, and in the 37th minute, they doubled their advantage. Freshman Uziel Vazquez found space just outside the box and drilled a composed finish into the bottom corner, assisted by fellow freshman Christian Longo-Schumer. The Rams carried a 2-0 lead into the break, having outshot the Cougars 6-4 while maintaining a clear edge in possession and energy.

North Central kept its foot on the gas to open the second half, with Grams, Mvogo, and Steven Griffith each testing the keeper with dangerous looks. The Rams' back line, anchored by junior Gerald Nolasco and sophomore Francisco Ramirez, remained disciplined, cutting off through balls and winning key tackles to keep the visitors' attack at bay. As the clock wound down, the opposing side managed to pull one back in the 86th minute on a penalty kick, but NCU's composure never wavered. Freshman goalkeeper Derick Stevens delivered another confident outing, recording 5 saves on the day, including several crucial stops in one-on-one situations. His steady play ensured the Rams' early goals held up until the final whistle. In total, North Central finished with a 15-10 advantage in shots and 9 shots on goal, showcasing a balanced attack and improved execution in the final third.

Looking Ahead:

Up next, men's soccer will head to St. Bonifacius to take on the Crown College Polars as they battle to stay in the hunt for the No. 4 seed in the UMAC Postseason Tournament. That game will take place this Saturday, November 1st, with kickoff set for 3:30 PM at Old National Bank Stadium.  

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.