NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's soccer team defeated Crown College 4-1 on Friday in the UMAC Game of the Week.

Both teams were looking for their first win of the conference season, and the Knights grabbed the momentum early thanks to a Hailey Johnson goal just 71 seconds into the game. 

Jenna Maurer assisted on Johnson's early goal, and then put the Knights ahead 2-0 with a breakaway goal in the 25th minute off a Johnson pass that broke her free. The goal was Maurer's sixth of the season. 

After the break, the Knights were able to tack on too insurance goals. Danielle Hall made the score 3-0 in the 56th minute off another Maurer assist, and Johnson capped the scoring for MLC with her fourth goal of the season in the 77th minute off a pass from Emily Muir.

The Knights controlled the action for much of the game, out-shooting the Storm 28-7 overall and 20-5 in shots on goal. Johnson led the Knights with eight shots, while Julia Barthels stopped the only shot she faced as the starting goalkeeper before getting some rest in the 76th minute.

MLC improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the UMAC following the win, while Crown fell to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in league play in defeat.

The Knights will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, September 19) when they host North Central in a game scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m.