ST. BONIFACIUS, MINNESOTA - Wednesday, NCU men's soccer team traveled to Old National Bank Stadium for a UMAC matchup against Crown College. After falling behind by two goals in the first half, the Rams battled all the way back to even the match late in the second before a goal in the closing minutes handed NCU a 3-2 loss. Senior forward
David Ajayi scored the Rams' second-half equalizer, while goalkeeper
Alex Gianikas finished with five saves.
FIRST HALF
North Central was forced onto the defensive early, with Gianikas making a pair of saves inside the opening nine minutes. Crown eventually broke through in the 15th minute and added another goal in the 28th to put the Rams in a 2-0 hole.
NCU responded quickly. After generating a pair of corner kicks and multiple attacking opportunities, the Rams got on the board in the 31st minute on an own goal to cut the deficit to 2-1. North Central kept the margin there through the remainder of the half and entered the break within one.
SECOND HALF
The Rams increased their pressure after halftime, recording six of their eight total shots in the second half. The match also became increasingly physical, with each team receiving a red card during the opening 13 minutes of the period.
North Central's persistence eventually paid off in the 82nd minute. After the Rams earned a penalty kick, Ajayi converted from the spot to complete the comeback and level the match at 2-2. Crown responded less than two minutes later, however, retaking the lead at 3-2. Ajayi nearly answered again in the 85th minute with a shot on goal, but NCU couldn't find a second equalizer before the final whistle.
Despite being outshot 12-8, North Central held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks and generated six second-half shots. Gianikas played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded five saves.
UP NEXT
Rams play again this Saturday, October 3rd, at University of Minnesota-Morris. That game will be at the noon hour in Morris, MN.Â
