MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's soccer team opened Saturday's match with North Central University on the front foot, scoring in the first and 14th minutes to go on top, 2-0, and a stout defensive effort did the rest as the Cougars improved to 3-2-1 overall on the season and in the UMAC.

The scoring opened in the first minute of the contest as a North Central foul set up a free kick for the Cougars. Devon Thompson delivered a dangerous ball into the box and Ethan Pherson headed it to keep it out of the arms of NCU keeper Michael Machuca. The ball ended up on the doorstep and Shane McConahy was in the right place at the right time to tap it in for a 1-0 lead.

Minnesota Morris doubled its lead in the 14th minute with a nice piece of counterattacking work. Addison Fugitt had the first touch on the ball and got it to Carter Watkinson who sliced the North Central defense apart with a through ball to Carver Hammond who finished neatly past Machuca. The Rams had few opportunities to score in the first half, with one of those chances being waved off due to a hand ball in the 18-yard box.

After mostly controlling the match throughout the majority of the first half, the Cougars were challenged more in the second half by the Rams. North Central kept things pretty even with UMN Morris and were only outshot by an 8-7 margin after the Cougars enjoyed a 10-2 edge in that category in the opening 45 minutes. On his Senior Day, Jake Peterson handled everything sent his way, making four saves to preserve the shutout.

Watkinson led the Cougars with six total shots in the match. Hammond followed with five and Thompson, the other senior on the Minnesota Morris roster, had four shots to go along with an assist on the game-winning goal. 

Minnesota Morris heads to Mankato on Monday to face Bethany Lutheran College at 4 p.m.