Courtesy of MLC Athletics

NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College men’s soccer team rolled to an 8-0 win over Nebraska Christian College in a Labor Day afternoon contest.

The Knights dominated possession in the first half and took advantage by converting a pair of penalty kicks by Nate Lemke and Luke Meihack. Sandwiched between those two tallies was a goal by Joe Graumann off a Meihack assist to give MLC a 3-0 lead heading into the half.

MLC came out of the break looking to put the game to bed and scored a two goals in the opening seven minutes of the second half. Graumann added his second of the game (third of the season) off a pass from Clay Hirsch in the 48th minute, and Mark Burger scored his first of the season in the 52nd minute off assists from Graumann and Meihack.

With a five-goal lead the Knights were able to play everyone on the bench and saw three players score their first career collegiate goals. Caleb Koelpin scored in the 68th minute off a pass from Noah Satorius, and Lucas Martin answered just 13 seconds later with a goal off a pass from Marcus Sims. Noah Schaewe capped the scoring in the 89th minute to give the Knights the final 8-0 margin.

The Knights outshot the Sentinels 21-9 overall, including a 14-4 edge in shots on goal. Keeper Josiah Mittelstadt stopped all four NCC shots on goal to help the Knights to their first team shutout of the season.

MLC improved to 1-1-1 on the season with the win, while the Sentinels fell to 1-2-0 in defeat.

MLC will return to action on Thursday, when it hosts Gustavus Adolphus College for a game scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.