MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's soccer team was unable to hold a first half lead in a 3-2 loss at North Central on Tuesday.

The Knights started fast thanks to a Joseph Graumann goal in the sixth minute to give MLC the 1-0 edge.

MLC had a great chance to build on that early lead just one minute later, but Nathan Graumann's penalty kick attempt went wide and the Knights went to halftime with the 1-0 advantage.

The Rams took over from there, scoring three consecutive goals in the 52nd, 60th and 77th minute to take a 3-1 lead. Luke Meihack scored to cut the deficit to 3-2 in he 78th minute, but the Knights were unable to find the equalizer in he final minutes.

The Knights were outshot 16-13 for the game, with the Rams also holding a 9-8 lead in shots on goal. Meihack led MLC with four total shots. Keeper Caleb King stopped six of nine shots he faced in goal for MLC.

MLC fell to 4-5 overall and 3-1 in UMAC play in defeat. The Rams improved to 3-4-2 on the season and 1-3-2 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, October 7, when they travel to St. Scholastica for a game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.