Box Score
Morris, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Morris men's soccer team won in dramatic fashion today (Oct. 1), scoring with less than seven minutes left to take a 1-0 victory over Bethany Lutheran.
Minnesota, Morris (4-3-3, 3-1-1) had just three shots on goal all day, but Matt Johnson (Monument, Colo.) made their last one count. At the 83:47 Johnson broke free of the field, and after a sprint into the box, snuck the ball underneath the Viking goalkeeper for the deciding score.
The goal was the third of the season of the season for Johnson, and his second game-winner. With three goals and seven points he also takes over the team lead in both categories.
Bethany Lutheran (4-4-0, 1-3-0) had plenty of chances in the match, taking twelve shots and landing five on goal. The Vikings had a near miss in the second half when a shot out of a crowd in front of the goal hit the cross bar, one of five shots they took in the period.
When the shots were on frame, Cougar goalkeeper Tyler Simpson (Broomfield, Colo.) was able to fight them off, coming up with several huge saves in the match, stopping one-on-one situations to persevere the shutout and the win. Simpson wins his four match of the year, and logs his fifth shutout.
Simpson made four saves in the second half alone, keeping Bethany Lutheran off the board.
Toby Glaser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) took three shots to lead UMM, and was one of five Cougars to fire off a shot on the day. The Vikings were led by Joe Nuah with a match high four shots, en route to their 12 on the day.
The pace of the game was fast and physical all day, but as play worn on at a cool and windy Cougar Field, things became increasing physical. There were 20 total fouls called in the match with 12 at the hands of the Vikings and eight coming courtesy of the Cougars.
After their win over Northland on Sept. 26, the Cougars have won back-to-back matches for the first time all season. Dating back to their tie with St. Scholastica on Sept. 25, they are also unbeaten in their last three matches.
They will look to extend each streak tomorrow (Oct. 2) when they take on Martin Luther back at Cougar Field. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
