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For the Minnesota Morris men's soccer team, the goal has been simple…and is no secret. To win the UMAC.

The quest for the 2011 UMAC title begins Sept. 16, when Morris travels to Crown for a 2:00 p.m. match-up. On Sept 17, the opening weekend continues with a match against Northwestern, played in Arden Hills at Mounds View High School at 5:00 p.m.

The Storm come into the weekend with a 1-2 record, while the Eagles are one of three teams in the UMAC still searching for their first win at 0-4. Last season, the conference champion finished without a loss, meaning that although the championship cannot be won in the first weekend, it can be lost.

Last season, Morris split with each team, winning at home against Crown 2-0, while taking a 1-0 decision over Northwestern late in the season on the road.

The Cougars enter the weekend with a 1-2-2 overall record, with the win coming in 1-0 fashion over Concordia Moorhead. In five games the Cougars have allowed just four goals, including a 0-0 shutout tie with Colorado College in addition to the Concordia shutout.

The Cougars were picked for a second place finish in the UMAC by the league coaches, with Northwestern in fourth and Crown in fifth.

Scoring will be at a premium this weekend, as the Cougars rank fifth in the UMAC in goals (2), but are tied for first in goals allowed (4). The UMAC leader in goals against average is Morris' Tyler Weber with a 0.73, who has also pitched two shutouts in the season's first five games. Weber was honored earlier this week as the UMAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Crown's Jason Budish should be a force for the Storm, as he leads the UMAC in scoring, averaging one goal per game. The Cougars will counter, though, with the reigning UMAC Offensive Player of the Week in Greg Borchers, whose unassisted score last week, sunk the defending MIAC champion, Concordia.

Be sure to check back with UMMCougars.org for the complete recap after each game.