Not much separated Northern and Rich Mountain during the 110 minutes of action and nothing separated the two teams at the end of the game on the scoreboard as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.  

NOC (2-8-1) is now 1-3-1 in conference play.

Rich Mountain scored first with a goal off a set play in 25th minute.  The Bucks were awarded a free kick near the top corner of the penalty box.  Rich Mountain's cross into the box was initially cleared by the Mavericks but the loose ball was picked up by a Rich Mountain defender and shot past Northern goalkeeper, Euan Morrison.  The rest of the half went back and forth and featured some very physical play from both teams, but neither team was able to generate any serious opportunities on goal.  

The Mavericks controlled the majority of the second half and their persistence would pay off in the seventy-second minute.  Northern was awarded a free kick near the Rich Mountain penalty box.  Northern's Harry Yorke won a header on the back post of the goal and played the ball across the goal to Kareem Williams who calmly finished to tie the game.  Minutes later it looked like Northern would take the lead as Matthew Cuellar stole a ball at midfield and broke in behind the Buck's defense along with Shukri Farias.  Cuellar's pass to Farias was a touch too heavy and rolled wide of the goal allowing Rich Mountain to recover and clear the ball out of danger.  Both teams would go on create chances on goal, but both goalkeepers were able to make key saves to keep the score deadlocked.

"We knew coming into the game that Rich Mountain was a physical, direct team that was going to challenge us," said Mavs coach Michael Duroy.  "They have tough, hardworking forwards and their defenders are good.  I thought our midfield was outstanding throughout the game.  Brooks Rogers and John Woodhead played the whole 110 minutes and were all over the place.  Gio Hererra, Matthew Cuellar, and Shukri Farias were able to find the ball and keep possession when we needed it.  Euan Morrison had his best game in goal for us.  It wasn't the result that we were looking for, but we will take the point as a positive.  We have to find a way to generate more scoring opportunities and finish those chances when we get them.  Our leading scorer George Robinson is out with an injury and we are not sure when he will return so someone has to step up and find the net."

NOC hosts Rose State at 4 p.m. Sunday.