Tuesday night, the play of the Lakeville North boys soccer team can be described in two words:

Patience and perseverance.

“(Rochester Century) made it very interesting here even after the second goal,” North head coach Pete Tyma said. “There was no quit in them, but we showed we didn’t have quit either.”

Five days after the North boys soccer team defeated Rochester Mayo 1-0, the Panthers added to the win column Tuesday with the 2-1 win over Rochester Century. Now 2-0-0, the Panthers of Lakeville have already experienced their fair share of close games early in the season.

North limited Rochester Century’s scoring chances by dominating the time of possession in the first half. The Century Panthers didn’t have a shot on North’s net until eight minutes into the game.

Dominating time of possession, as North did for nearly 75 percent of the first half, is something the team prides itself on.

“We want to keep the ball on the floor because you can keep it controlled,” Tyma said. “Fortunately we saw some gaps and made some plays. But whatever the defense gives us, that is what we are going to use.”

Not only did the offense control the ball efficiently, the defense limited Rochester Century’s scoring chances as well.

Leading the defensive charge for the Lakeville North Panthers was junior captain Ross Bellefeuille. Bellefeuille stole the ball numerous times, and blocked consecutive Century shots on the same possession. Throughout the game, the junior defenseman did whatever it took to keep the ball from getting to the net, which included sacrificing his face to block a Rochester shot.

“There’s a reason he is a captain as a junior,” Tyma said. “He’s an every minute guy. He probably will be an every minute guy every game if he can. He’s just a great player.”

After several scoring opportunities, the North offense finally found the back of the net.  

With just under nine minutes remaining in the first half, senior Jorge Espinoza put the North Panthers on the board. Espinoza’s score came on a low, hard shot that went just to the left of Rochester Century’s goaltender.

For Espinoza, his goal Tuesday marked the first of many more in his mind.

“He came into the season and I asked how many assists he was going to have,” Tyma said. “He told me that he wasn’t worried about assists. Goals were what he was going to get after this year. He’s showing it.”

Less than ten minutes into the second half, senior Josh Meyer increased the Panther lead to 2-0, scoring on a one-touch pass from teammate Dom Sprung. Meyer’s clinical finish showed his strong soccer-IQ, knowing where to be and when to be there.

“(Jorge) and Josh up top is a pairing that coaches dream of,” Tyma said. “They really know where to go.”

It wasn’t a matter of not knowing where to go for North goaltender Matt Collins on Rochester Century’s goal. Instead, it was the play that was made by Rochester Century’s Hussien Alrubayee when he chipped the keeper, kicking the ball out of Collins’ reach.

Collins looked in admiration at the goal scored by Alrubayee.

“That kid is good,” Collins said of Alrubayee. “I wish he was on our team.”

Despite late surges from Rochester Century, North’s 2-1 lead proved to be enough for the victory. But, the Lakeville North Panthers understand that there is little time to be complacent with their 2-0-0 start to the 2014 season.

“Owatonna is going to be tough Friday, so now we have to focus on them,” Tyma said. “Then, all of a sudden school starts and there is a whole other challenge there. Right now, we’re very happy and there’s confidence and a sense of team. These guys really want to play for each other.”