NEW ULM, Minn. - The martin Luther College women's soccer team was unable to hold a first half lead in a 3-2 defeat to Minnesota Morris on Tuesday.

The Knights jumped on top early 1-0 on a Martha Balge long shot over the head of UMM keeper Megan Tschida in the ninth minute. Hailey Johnson assisted on the the goal, which was Balge's third of the season.

UMM's Molly Hancuh tied the game in the 26th minute with a long shot from a bad angle, but the Knights were able to pull ahead 2-1 in the 33rd minute on a header from Johnson off a Carissa Friebe cross. Johnson's goal was her fourth of the season and gave the Knights the lead and momentum heading into the half.

Hancuh once got free for a second time for her league-leading 18th goal of the game in the 57th minute to tie the game, and then made the pass to free Brooke Lorentz in the 79th minute that gave the Cougars the lead and the win.

Both defenses were strong throughout, as the teams combined for 15 shots and nine shots on goal. Morgan Hill led MLC with two shots, while Erin Feddersen finished with one save in goal for the Knights.

MLC fell to 7-5-1 overall and 6-2-1 in UMAC play in defeat, while UMM improved to 7-7-1 on the season and 5-4-1 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, October 21, when they host Northwestern for a game scheduled to start at 1 p.m.