PRATT, Kansas -- Northern opened the season at Pratt with a 4-1 win Saturday in Pratt, Kansas.

The Mavs looked like they haven't played a game in over a year to begin the game, according to coach Michael DuRoy.

Pratt controlled the early play and finally broke through with a goal fifteen minutes into the game.  From that point on the Mavericks took over.  The Mavs tied the game a few minutes after the Beavers goal.  Gio Herrera put a corner kick right in front of the Pratt goal, and Kai Lewis tapped it in for the equalizer.  Late in the half Marcovich Brown lobbed the Pratt goalkeeper after taking a pass from Kai Lewis.  Moments later Gio Herrera was fouled in the box.  Marcovich Brown stepped up to take the penalty kick, but the Beavers goalkeeper made a great save.  Ivan Delgadillo pounced on the rebound but his shot went just wide of the goal.

The Mavericks dominated the second half picking up an early goal from George Robinson.  Marcovich Brown was credited with the assist.  Neither team could score despite going back and forth with possession.  Late in the game Damorney Hutchinson scored after receiving a pass from Marcovich Brown.  

"You could tell the guys were nervous to start the game," DuRoy said. "We were unorganized and the game seemed to be moving a little fast for us.  Once we settled in we played some good soccer for a first game.  Pratt is a good team and very well coached.  They, like so many teams this spring, are a little thin depth wise so we wore them down.  Once they got tired we just needed to be smart with the ball.  Overall it was exactly what we needed for a first game.  We learned a lot about ourselves.  We fouled too much and picked up way too many yellow cards.  We have to be more disciplined or it will cost us games in the future.  We need to have a great week of training."

The Mavericks will be back in action Wednesday with their first home and conference game at 4 p.m. against the Eastern Mountaineers.