NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's soccer team was unable to hold a second-half lead in a 3-2 defeat against Northwestern (Minn.) on Saturday.

The Knights fell behind 1-0 early on a Josiah Donat goal in the 12th minute, but erased that deficit with a penalty kick goal by Joseph Graumann in the 25th minute to tie the game heading into halftime. The goal was Graumann's team-best seventh of the season.

MLC took the lead early in the second half when senior Justin Steinke scored his first career goal off a rebound in the 56th minute to give the Knights a 2-1 edge.

The Eagles responded, however, as Donat scored twice more in the 63rd and 69th minutes, respectively, to take a 3-2 lead. 

With 13:27 to play in the game, the teams were sent off the field due to a lightning delay that lasted nearly 40 minutes. The teams resumed play, but the Knights were unable to come up with the equalizer as the Eagles held on for the win.

Luke Meihack led MLC with four shots, including one on goal. Graumann and Ethan Schultz each recorded a pair of shots. 

MLC keeper Caleb King stopped three of the six UNW shots on net.

The Knights fell to 5-11 on the season and 4-6 in UMAC play with the loss. UNW improved to 8-5-2 overall and 7-2-1 in league play with the win.

MLC will return to action on Wednesday, October 25, when they travel to Bethany Lutheran for a game scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m.