MLC roundup: Knights earn win in women’s soccer
Courtesy of Adam Hussman/MLC SID
WOMEN’S SOCCER
MLC 5, North Central 2
NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College women’s soccer team entered Tuesday’s contest with 14 consecutive wins/ties against the North Central program and extended their streak to 15 after beating the Rams 5-2.
The last meeting between the two schools saw MLC defeat North Central 8-0 at home despite some rough field conditions, but today’s game featured a sunny day. MLC got right to business as Katie Schoeneck found the back of the net off of a solid pass from Lilianne Zimpelmann near the 11th minute. MLC would have its chances to extend the lead in the first period, as they controlled possession, but were unable to convert on them.
In the second half, the Knights capitalized on their opportunities and it started with a goal from Natalie Ritter towards the 50th minute. Ritter scored from a nice find from her teammate, Naomi Foley, that put MLC up 2-0.
From there, the Knights pushed the lead even more as Priscilla Boehm scored her second goal of the season on a chaotic play near the net. Just five minutes later, Schoeneck made her second goal of the contest on a penalty kick to make it 4-1.
MLC’s final goal of the game involved a trio of freshmen getting into the act, as Greta Mensching connected on her first collegiate goal near the 83rd minute. Mensching’s goal came off an assist from Alaina Hackmann and Estella Wendland.
The Knights outshot the Rams 36-9, with a 24-8 advantage in shots on goal.
Up next for MLC (4-7-1, 2-4) is a nonconference road game at Hamline, which will be played on Sunday, October 13, at 3 p.m.
MEN’S SOCCER
North Central 2, MLC 0
NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College men’s soccer team hosted North Central University on Tuesday afternoon and had some chances to come back from a 2-0 halftime deficit, but were unable to cash in on them as the Rams defeated the Knights 2-0.
The two North Central goals came in the first period, with the first goal coming quickly out of the gate around the seventh minute when Sam Saye booted a shot in the goal. After several shots that just missed, North Central then put up the second goal in the 36th minute with a rebounded shot from Diego Zavala Varela.
The Rams controlled possession of the ball in the first period, but MLC gained some traction and became the aggressors in the second period. Both teams got off a decent amount of shots, as North Central had 17 compared to 11 for the Knights. The Rams would also have the edge in shots on target 9-2.
Nicholas Russ ended the contest with six saves and he was aided by an MLC defense that ratcheted things up, especially in the second period.
MLC (2-10-1) will be back on the field come Saturday, October 12, at 2 p.m. There, the Knights will go on the road to play Northland College.