NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's soccer team could not overcome a pair of early goals in a 2-1 defeat to Northland College on Saturday.

The Knights jumped on the board first when Xander Heiman scored off a rebound from David Martin's shot on goal in the seventh minute to give MLC a 1-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Northland immediately came back to tie the game just 22 seconds later thanks to a misplay in the MLC box, and then took a 2-1 lead on a penalty kick following an MLC foul in the box in the 13th minute.

That lead stood for more than 77 minutes of play, despite the Knights having chances to find the equalizer. The best chance came in the 71st minute, when Northland keeper Jamie Colvill stopped Lucas Martin's penalty kick attempt. 

The Lumberjacks played the final 19 minutes with a man down following a red card, but were able to hold off the Knights to secure the one-goal win.

MLC out-shot the Lumberjacks 10-8, but could only muster three shots on goal for the game. Heiman and Martin led the Knights with three shots apiece.

The Knights dropped to 2-11-0 on the season and 1-9-0 in UMAC play in defeat. Northland improved to 8-8-0 overall and 6-4 in league play with the win.

MLC will return to action on Tuesday, October 19, when it travels to Augsburg for a game scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.