Novotny nets four goals to lead MLC over Crown, 5-1

NEW ULM -- MLC Junior striker Mike Novotny continued his torrid scoring pace with his second four-goal game of the season Tuesday.

Novotny led the Knights in a 5-1 victory over Crown College in UMAC action. He now has 19 goals in the first ten games of the season and is on track to break the MLC single-season goal mark of 22 (held by Martin Valleskey, 1997) with nearly half of the season remaining.

After a sluggish start by both teams amid very windy conditions, Novotny got hot midway through the first half, blasting two breakaway opportunities in the span of 25 seconds. Karl Valleskey assisted on Novotny's first goal; Mike DeRuiter was credited with the second assist. Novotny then returned a favor when his crossing pass found Paul Huebner open at the right post shortly before the first half horn sounded to give the Knights a 3-0 edge at the break.

Novotny tallied twice more in the second half. Again the outburst happened quickly -- both goals coming only two minutes apart, 10 minutes into the half. Midfielder Mark Nolte recorded the assists on both goals.

Crown's Nate Miller scored from close-range with under two minutes remaining in the game to make the final 5-1.

"Mike has an incredible knack for making the right run, and has the footwork skills to convert chances into goals," said Knight coach Paul Koelpin. "The midfielders know that they just need to put the ball where Mike can get at it. And when the offense clicks, they are able to put up some big numbers in a hurry."

MLC (6-4 overall, 2-1 UMAC) hosts the conference rival St. Scholastica in a 2 p.m. match on Sunday.