New Ulm, MN - Wednesday afternoon featured the conference opening game for MLC men's soccer, as they hosted Minnesota Morris. MLC would struggle to get the offense going for the majority of the 90 minutes, but made a final push towards the end with a goal. However, the Minnesota Morris defense proved to be too much for MLC to overcome and the Cougars left New Ulm with a 2-1 win.

From the opening kick, the Cougars seemed comfortable with their passes and ball movement, controlling possession for the majority of the half. There patience on offense was rewarded with a goal at the 14:21 mark in the first period from midfielder Burke Sheppard.

Minnesota Morris added on to their 1-0 lead with a second goal on a header by Matt Gearou off a corner kick. The forward would come off the bench and provided high energy on both ends of the field for the Cougars.

The Knights were able to get across the other side of the field and had better control of the ball in the second period, but ultimately the Cougars' defensemen would still disrupt any momentum on offense and would boot the ball back to the other end. MLC was held to just three shots on goal as a team.

The lone goal for MLC came in the 88th minute from a Josiah Wordell header, assisted by Grant Gawrisch and Nathan Pausma. Wordell recorded his team-high fourth goal of the season and gave the Knights some positive momentum that could be carried into the following game.

Adam Rosenbaum and Zachary Pausma split the goalkeeper duties for the Knights, with Rosenbaum playing period one and Pausma for the final 45 minutes. Both goalies had five saves for MLC, with Rosenbaum allowing the two goals.

You can see the MLC men's soccer team in action again when they face Northland College on the road on Saturday, September 16, at 4:30 p.m.