Minneapolis, MN - Johannes Bourman scored a goal, the defense made plays, and the Martin Luther College men's soccer team snapped a seven-game losing streak in a 1-0 win over the North Central Rams.

"The guys stepped up and filled the void," said Associate Head Coaches, Nick Schmoller and Tim Grundmeier.

"Matthew Nygaard and Isaiah Heins did a nice job at the center back position with Jed out." With junior Jed Mittelstadt sidelined, Nygaard and Heins each played 90 minutes of action and heavily contributed to the clean sheet from goalkeeper Zachary Pausma.

The Rams would still get 23 shots off (seven on goal), but Pausma hung in tough and recorded seven saves in his first career shutout.

The Knights lone goal came at the 17th minute from Bourman on an assist from Jake Vilhauer. With the goal, the sophomore recorded his second of the season after finding the back of the net in an away game at Northwestern last week. 

As a collective unit, the offense had much more chances than their previous seven games and attempted 16 shots, with seven on target. Senior Nathan Pausma also had more activity in the game, rattling off five shots (three on goal) and played a big role in MLC's first conference win.

Up next for the men's soccer team (3-9, 1-6) is Parents' Day on Saturday, October 7, at 3:30 p.m against Northland. There, the Knights will look to avenge their 6-0 loss to Northland on September 16, for what would be their second conference win of the season.