MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's soccer team was frustrated by a strong performance in goal from Jerad Buse in a 2-0 loss to North Central University on Wednesday afternoon at Cougar Field.

The Cougars were on the front foot in the opening half and peppered the NCU goal with shots in the early going. Carter Watkinson had a big opportunity saved by Buse in the eighth minute and the Ram keeper again denied Watkinson in the 26th minute. On a free kick from beyond the center circle in the 34th minute, Nick Isensee sent a ball long into the six-yard area and North Central cleared the ball off the line to keep the match scoreless at the break.

Minnesota Morris had three shots in the first eight minutes of the second half that missed the mark, including an audacious bicycle kick attempt from Watkinson that was headed towards goal but high. North Central took advantage with a free-kick goal against the run of play in the 54th minute as a Rodrigo Burgos shot went through the hands of Isensee to put the Rams on top, 1-0.

After taking the lead, North Central began to pile on the pressure and it paid off in the 71st minute as Pasquali Smith picked out a corner from 40 yards out and had his shot skid past Isensee to double the Ram advantage. The Cougars failed to put much more together offensively in the final 20 minutes, managing just two off-target shots.

Watkinson finished the afternoon with four total shots for Minnesota Morris. Burke Sheppard added three. Isensee made 10 saves in the match.

Minnesota Morris will head to St. Paul on Saturday to face the University of Northwestern at 2 p.m.