Des Moines, IA - The Vikings opened up their conference slate with a matchup against the Ravens of Benedictine. After a back and fourth battle the Vikings would fall 2-1 to the Ravens. 

How It Happened: The Vikings would strike first after a slow start as Fernando Alvarez would find the back of the net with a header after being set up by Ludvig Hordegard on the cross. The rest of the half would be a defensive battle as both teams battled for possession throughout the midfield. A pair of players would pick up yellow cards in the second part of the first half. Adam Aroua of Benedictine would grab a yellow card in the 35th minute before Hordegard would also pick up a yellow in the 43rd minute. 

The Ravens opened up the second half with an early goal after an unlucky bounce round its way past the Vikings defense. The game would remain tied at 1-1 until the 82 minute when Kajubi Kalanzi of the Ravens would find the net to make it 2-1. The Vikings would put together a handful of runs in the last few minutes but wouldn't be able to find an equalizer, falling 2-1 in the conference opener. 

OF NOTE: 

• Vikings had 10 shots (5 SOG). 
• Vikings have 16 assist on the year ranking them 19th in the country for assist