MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's soccer team dropped a tough 2-0 decision to Martin Luther College on Saturday at Cougar Field. Chances created between the two sides were about even, but the Knights scored on either side of halftime and the Cougars came up empty.

Minnesota Morris came out attack-minded and had four shots in the first eigh minutes, but only one was on target. That came when Kim Peters had a chance to go for goal against Grace Sievert. Sievert made the stop, but the ball came to Lacey Keller who misdialed on the rebound. Peters again forced a save from Sievert in the 21st minute and Martin Luther was able to take the lead in the 27th minute with a goal from Hannah Schroeder.

The Knights came out in the second half and peppered the Minnesota Morris goal with a number of long-range efforts that didn't trouble Bernadette Cienik until the 55th minute when one of those shots from Morgan Spoehr slipped through Cienik's gloves on a wet day at the field and trickled in to make it 2-0.

The Cougars increased their intensity and challenged Martin Luther, but Sievert made saves when called upon to preserve the shutout. Jay Kwateh, Gracie Campos, and Caroline O'Donnell all had shots saved by Sievert and a number of other shots from the Cougars were off the mark.

Cienik ended with seven saves on the afternoon. Peters led Minnesota Morris with five shots, while Campos added four.

The Cougars are back home again on Tuesday afternoon, hosting Crown College at 1 p.m.