MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's soccer team dropped a 6-2 decision to the University of Northwestern on Thursday at Cougar Field. The loss sends the Cougars to 2-8-3 (2-4-3 UMAC).

The first half went back and forth as Minnesota Morris twice took the lead. Monica Calderon opened the scoring in the 13th minute, shooting high over the top of Northwestern's Reagan Flaschberger from about 25 yards out to give the Cougars the lead. That lasted until the 19th minute when Megan Kohrt's first goal of the contest tied the score at 1-1.

A free kick following a foul in midfield from Northwestern gave Minnesota Morris a free kick opportunity and Calderon delivered her second goal of the game in the 27th minute to give the Cougars a 2-1 advantage. Once again, Northwestern had the answer as a nice build-up allowed Kohrt to score her second of the day and make it 2-2 at the half.

The Cougars had no answers for the Northwestern attack in the second half. Though the Eagles fired from just about anywhere on the field, they still controlled possession and had just as many shots on goal as shots that fired high or wide. A goal from Haley Mersberger in the 54th minute proved to be the game winner and Megan Moeller's breakaway in the 73rd minute made it 4-2. The Eagles added goals late in the match from Mersberger and Brielle Babcock.

Bernadette Cienik finished with 15 saves on the day. Calderon led Minnesota Morris with three shots.

The Cougars are back home on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., hosting North Central University.