By Gary Zilavy

ST. PAUL -- Northwestern College opened up play in the 2011 season with a heartbreaking 1-0 double overtime loss at the hands of St. Olaf College in non-conference play Thursday.

David Rosenthal's goal in the 102nd minute clinched the game for the Oles, sending a shot past NWC goalkeeper Eric Bocan (Anoka, Minn./Meadow Creek) (Anoka, Minn./Meadow Creek). On a hot and humid night, both teams performed valiantly in double overtime even as the sun set on Reynolds Field.

Plenty of Northwestern players saw the field, as head coach Greg Wheaton went to his bench often. A total of nine new Eagles got their first taste of collegiate soccer on Thursday. Freshman forward Stephen Ricks (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) provided a spark for Northwestern in the first half, almost scoring on St. Olaf keeper Harry Ullmann within minutes of coming off the bench.

Despite Ricks' missed scoring opportunity, the Eagles continued to battle. Midfielder Sam Mann (Woodbury, Minn./St. Paul Central) (Woodbury, Minn./St. Paul Central) took three of Northwestern's five shots in the game and landed two of the home team's three shots on goal.

Bocan, who picked up his first collegiate start in front of the net, fared well throughout the evening. Despite allowing the goal in double overtime, the sophomore totaled 10 saves and prevented multiple scoring chances by the Oles.

With the loss, Northwestern begins its season at 0-1. The Eagles won't have to wait long to pick up the pieces as Luther College will come to Reynolds Field on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.