Contact: Sam Fretto, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

WAVERLY, Iowa. (Sept. 19, 2025) - The North Central College men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss in non-conference play, conceding 3-2 to Wartburg College. After falling behind by two in the first half, the Cardinals rallied two goals to tie, but the Knights converted a header last-second to claim the win.

The Knights (2-3-1) struck quickly, finding the back of the net less than two minutes into the match on a through ball that set up a 1v1 with Cardinal goalkeeper Daniel Szalai. Wartburg doubled its lead late in the first half with a strike into the lower left corner, but North Central (2-1-3) kept the match within reach thanks to strong defensive efforts from Joris Rijnja and two diving saves by Szalai in the 28th minute. Szalai finished with a game-high fives saves, while Wartburg Eckert tallied four.

The Cardinals came out with momentum after the break, creating several dangerous chances. In the 55th minute, Aleks Duncevic combined with Eltayeb Mahmoud inside the box, where Mahmoud buried a shot into the lower right corner to bring the score to 2-1.

Following a lightning delay, in the 79th minute, Marco Costabile delivered a cross to Griffin French who headed in his fourth goal of the season to tie the match at 2-2. 

Ultimately, a foul near midfield gave Wartburg a free kick in the closing seconds. The Knights delivered the ball into the box and converted a header with just three seconds left to secure the 3-2 win. North Central committed eleven fouls in the second half compared to just three by Wartburg. 

North Central returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 21, traveling to face Coe College at 1 p.m. at the Clark Racquet Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.