North Central University Athletics

ST. BONIFACIUS, MINNESOTA - North Central University (NCU) women's soccer continued UMAC play on Wednesday with a conference matchup against Crown College at Old National Bank Stadium. The Rams kept the contest scoreless for more than 83 minutes before two late goals resulted in a 2-0 loss. Hannah Sawczak led the NCU attack with five shots and two shots on goal, while Joselyn Eckhart added another attempt on frame. In goal, Olivia Johnlouis turned in a strong performance with six saves.
FIRST HALF
North Central came out aggressive, earning a corner kick just over a minute into the match. Johnlouis was tested early at the other end and responded with saves in the fourth, 11th, and 21st minutes to keep the match scoreless.
The Rams began finding opportunities of their own as the half progressed. Sawczak put NCU's first shot on goal in the 27th minute before adding another attempt six minutes later. Eckhart followed with a shot on frame in the 38th minute, and the pressure resulted in back-to-back North Central corner kicks. Sawczak generated one more quality opportunity in the 44th minute, forcing another save as NCU went into halftime tied 0-0.
North Central finished the opening half with four shots, three shots on goal and three corner kicks. Johnlouis made four saves in the opening 45 minutes to preserve the scoreless tie. 

SECOND HALF
Sawczak continued to lead the NCU attack after halftime, producing shots in the 51st and 56th minutes. Bella Sorbo followed with a pair of opportunities of her own, sending attempts wide in the 58th and 66th minutes as the Rams continued searching for the opening goal.
North Central remained locked in a scoreless battle deep into the second half. Johnlouis made saves in the 62nd and 69th minutes to keep the Rams even, while the NCU defense held firm despite facing increased pressure. Ramiyah Words provided North Central's final attacking opportunity in the 83rd minute, sending a shot just wide.
The scoreless tie was finally broken in the 84th minute, giving Crown a 1-0 advantage with just over six minutes remaining. North Central continued battling for an equalizer before a second goal with 33 seconds remaining brought the final score to 2-0. Despite the result, NCU held its opponent scoreless for more than 83 minutes and finished with nine total shots. 

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.