MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - Saturday, the North Central University men's soccer team returned to Parade Park Field for a UMAC matchup against the Martin Luther College Knights. The Rams put together their most complete offensive performance of the young season, scoring four times in the opening half before adding two more after the break to secure a commanding 6-0 victory. Sophomore forward Steven Griffith and forward David Ajayi led the scoring effort with two goals apiece, while forward Rodrigo Rocha finished with a goal and an assist. The victory moved North Central to 1-1 in UMAC play.
FIRST HALF
North Central wasted little time taking control of the contest. After an early save from goalkeeper Alex Gianikas, the Rams went the other direction and opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Sophomore forward Steven Griffith found the back of the net at the 4:17 mark to give NCU an early 1-0 advantage.
From there, the Rams continued to pour on the pressure. Ajayi forced a save less than a minute later before NCU generated several more attempts and a pair of corner kicks. In the 11th minute, Rocha helped double the advantage, setting up Ajayi for his first goal of the afternoon and a 2-0 North Central lead.
The Rams continued generating opportunities throughout the half. Griffith nearly added another in the 14th minute before eventually breaking through again at 27:14. His second goal of the game pushed the NCU advantage to three.
North Central needed just six more minutes to strike again. Ajayi collected his second goal of the afternoon in the 34th minute, giving the Rams a commanding 4-0 advantage.
NCU nearly added a fifth before halftime when junior midfielder Santiago Grams put an attempt on target in the 44th minute. North Central closed the opening 45 minutes with a 13-6 advantage in shots, including a sizable 9-4 edge in shots on goal. The Rams also controlled set-piece opportunities, earning six corner kicks while holding Martin Luther without one. Gianikas turned away all four shots on goal he faced to help send NCU into halftime with a 4-0 lead.
SECOND HALF
North Central continued creating chances after the break. Sophomore forward Israel Tomlin put a shot on goal in the 51st minute, and junior midfielder Rodrigo Burgos followed with another attempt on target in the 60th. Rocha then forced another save in the 63rd minute as the Rams remained firmly on the attack.
The pressure eventually resulted in NCU's fifth goal. In the 71st minute, Grams connected with Rocha, who finished the opportunity for his third point of the afternoon and extended the lead to 5-0.
With the advantage firmly in hand, North Central was able to rotate several players into the match down the stretch. Grams put the finishing touches on the victory in the 88th minute, scoring NCU's sixth and final goal of the afternoon.
The Rams finished with a decisive 22-10 advantage in total shots and 15-6 edge in shots on goal. NCU also generated seven corner kicks compared to just two for the Knights. Griffith and Ajayi each recorded braces, Rocha totaled three points with a goal and an assist, and Grams contributed a goal and an assist off the bench.
North Central's goalkeepers completed the shutout on the other end of the field. Gianikas played the opening 77:23 and recorded five saves without allowing a goal. Freshman goalkeeper Landon Bedoy handled the final 12:37 and made one save, giving the Rams six combined saves and their first clean sheet of the season.
UP NEXT
The Rams will compete on Tuesday, September 22nd in Collegeville. NCU will face off against Saint John's University on Haws Field, at 4:00 PM.
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.
