PRATT, Kansas -- The Mavs picked up their first win of the year 5-2 on the road at Pratt Community College on a scorching hot day in Kansas on Sunday.

Northern (1-1) started slow with Pratt controlling most of the possession while the Mavs literally tried to find their footing.  It took the Mavs a while to figure out the turf as many players slipped to the ground giving the Beavers several opportunities early. 

Pratt broke through ten minutes into the game slipping a shot past Northern goalkeeper Aron Kanyai.  The goal seemed to wake up the Mavericks who dominated the game from that point on.  Just three minutes after the Beaver goal Blayne Bryant played a ball in behind the Pratt defense for Kevin Ayala to run onto.  Ayala chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to tie the game.  Ten minutes later the Mavericks would strike again.  Jaron Frye stole the ball off of a Pratt defender and his shot beat the goalkeeper to put the Mavericks up 2-1.  Late in the first half Assanie Brown delivered a dagger of a goal after taking a pass from Daniel Clarke. 

Northern started the second half strong, dominating possession of the ball causing the tired Pratt team to chase the ball.  Assanie Brown put the game out of reach heading home a corner kick from Ryan Doig.  Up 4-1 in the second half the Mavs emptied the bench, but the game didn't change much.  Khan Mung was brought down just outside the box setting up a free kick.  Kevin Ayala played a great ball into the box, which Mung expertly headed by the Beaver goalkeeper for the Mavs final goal.  Pratt would score a late goal on a penalty kick to make the final score 5-2.

"I give the boys credit," said coach Michael DuRoy.  "They continue to play hard.  We made them make mistakes with our press and then punished their mistakes.  We also scored two goals on set pieces so that was pleasing.  In addition to that we were able to possess the ball better than we have in either our first game or the scrimmage, but there needs to be more end product to it.  We need to create more opportunities from the run of play.  Any win is a good win and we are happy for them all, but we need to understand that we have a lot of work to do.  We have to clean some things up in the back, and work on moving the ball quicker from side to side."