NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's soccer team lost a non-conference game to North Central 2-1 on Saturday.

The Knights fell behind 1-0 after Dakotah Sparrman dribbled through the MLC defense to give the Rams an early lead.

The score remained tied 1-0 until early in the second half, when Sparrman scored on a penalty kick following an MLC foul inside the box to push the NCU lead to 2-0.

MLC made a late rally, as Danielle Hall scored off a pass from Abby Koelpin in the 87th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Knights were unable to get the equalizer before the final buzzer sounded.

Julia Barthels kept the Knights in the with nine saves. Alyssa Maertz and Martha Balge led the team with two shots apiece.

The Knights fell to 2-5 on the season in defeat, while NCU improved to 2-5 with the win.

MLC will return to action when they host Bethany Lutheran on Wednesday, September 23, at 4:15 p.m.