TONKAWA - Despite turning in one of their most consistent performances on the season, Northeastern A&M's Golden Norsemen dropped a 2-1 decision Thursday evening to No. 18 ranked Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa on the Mavericks pitch.


"We played as well as we  have all season," NEO head coach  John Parrigon said. "Northern has a very talented team and they have depth to go with it."
While opening play in the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference, the Golden Norse are 4-5 on the season. NEO remains on the road Saturday with a 5 p.m. match at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo.
Defending Region 2 Champion Northern-Tonkawa remains undefeated on the season with a perfect 4-0 record.
Freshman midfielder Jacob Jacola created NEO's only lead of the match with a goal at the 33:46 juncture of the first half. Jacola, from Dallas, Texas, scored on a rebound after freshman midfielder Zac Chism of Nixa, Mo., had a shot bounce off the goal.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the second half, the Mavericks received a goal by Andy Ochoa with 47:58 showing on the clock to tie the score.
Maverick defender Brad Bennions scored an unassisted goal at the 88:12 mark to provide the winning margin.