Courtesy of Adam Hussman/MLC SID

MEN’S SOCCER

Northwestern 5, MLC 2

NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College men’s soccer team put up its best effort of the season despite a 5-2 loss to Northwestern on Senior Day on Saturday.

The Knights played with an extra pep in its step, diving after the ball with a lot of aggression, and the seven seniors who were playing in their final home game in a Knights’ uniform played like it on the field. Johannes Bourman, Matthew Koelpin, Stephen Wietzke, Owen Heiman, Joshua Felsing, Isaiah Heins, and Josh Kallies were recognized for their final home game before the kickoff as seniors.

MLC had scoring opportunities as a result of their effort in the first period, but were unable to convert on them. Northwestern entered the second period with a 2-0 lead.

The Knights were rewarded for their effort with a header by Wietzke in the 52nd minute off a free kick by Silas Gawrisch. MLC added one more goal in the 68th minute off a corner kick by Caleb Pausma. Isaac Boetcher was the beneficiary of the ball and put it through the back of the net to give another jolt to the MLC crowd, who were loud and active all game long.

Kallies and the defense also made some impressive saves to limit the Eagles’ offense.

MLC will now play one final game this season with a road contest at UW-Superior on Saturday, November 1, at 3:30 p.m.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Northwestern 1, MLC 0

NEW ULM — The MLC women’s soccer team was 12 minutes away from a scoreless draw with Northwestern until Naomi Meehan connected on a shot to give the Eagles the only goal of the game, beating MLC 1-0.

The goal for Northwestern came in the 77th minute of action in the second period. The 1-0 loss for MLC was the closest result for the Knights against Northwestern since a 1-0 loss to the Eagles in 2021, and MLC played Northwestern hard a few weeks ago in a 3-1 loss on the road.

Before the game, MLC honored three senior players, who played their final home game in a Knights’ uniform, as Rachel Schoeneck, Naomi Foley, and Karissa Holdcroft were recognized.

The MLC defense held firm and limited Northwestern to scoring opportunities, especially as the Eagles got off 29 shots on net. Miriam Bitter recorded 21 saves for the Knights and gave a good effort as the goalkeeper in relief for Maria Vik.

Katie Schoeneck played all but five minutes (85 minutes) and led MLC with two shots on target.

MLC will wrap up its season with one final game on the road at UW-Superior next Saturday, November 1, at 1 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Buena Vista 3, MLC 0

NEW ULM — MLC volleyball played another home contest on Saturday afternoon, following a match against UW-Superior last night in the LSC gymnasium. The Knights battled hard in the first set, but Buena Vista got on a roll in the second and third sets to finish off a 3-0 (25-21, 25-9, 25-7) sweep of the Knights.

There wasn’t much separation in the opening set, with each team trading off the lead. The set was tied as late as 19-19 before the Beavers capitalized on a few MLC miscues to outscore the Knights 6-2 down the stretch to secure the first set.

From there, Buena Vista forced MLC into a funk as the Beavers took a commanding 15-2 lead in the second set. Buena Vista didn’t allow for much momentum or a comeback in the remainder of the match.

Charley Hernandez led Buena Vista with 14 kills, while Merced Ramirez totaled 28 assists to lead her squad. Lydia Feidt paced the Knights in digs (11) and kills (7), and Kourtney Zech put up 11 assists to lead MLC.

MLC will move on to play Minnesota Morris again on Halloween (October 31), Friday at 7 p.m. on the road.