St. Bonifacius, Minn. — The rain poured at KleinBank Stadium, but the men's soccer team battled through it and were able to win a close game with North Central, 4-2. The physical match featured everything possible in a soccer game; unmerciful weather, two yellow cards, four red cards, a PK save from keeper Eli Etzel, the first collegiate career goal by Mason Shrewsbury, who scored with only five minutes remaining, and his second goal of the year with just a few seconds left on the clock on a free kick.

The scoring started in the 29th minute when North Central took an early 1-0 lead, but the Storm fought back with a rebound Cristian Olarte goal in the 62nd minute. A few minutes later both teams had a player ejected with red cards, and then Jason Kragt found Igor Shevchenko to take the lead for Crown. However, ten minutes later North Central answered to knot the game up at two, right around the time when Crown received their second red card of the game. 

Mason Shrewsbury came in with a clutch goal to save the day for the Storm, scoring on a pass from Shevchenko (Shevchenko's first assist of the season) in the late 84th minute. While this goal was Shrewsbury's first of the season, it didn't take long for Shrewsbury to find his second goal of the season, coming on a free kick in the 89th minute to put the game out of reach 4-2 in the Storm's favor. 

"I loved how the team stuck together between the red cards and the awful weather," said Shrewsbury. "I wouldn't have had my first goal without the assist from Igor [Shevchenko], and I thank God that I had the opportunity to take and score that free kick in the last 20 seconds."

In goal, senior keeper Eli Etzel outdueled the NCU keeper with nine saves and two goals allowed, including a save on a penalty kick that would have changed the course of the game. The opposing keeper allowed four goals with only one save in the contest. 

Crown next plays on Tuesday against Bethany Lutheran, where it is senior night for the Storm athletes.