MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris continued its late-season surge, defeating North Central University on Saturday afternoon, 2-0. The win improves the Cougars to 2-9-4 (2-4-4 UMAC). 

In a well-contested match between the two sides, it was a pair of moments from Carter Watkinson that made the difference for Minnesota Morris. In the eighth minute, Lucas Harmon kept the game scoreless with a nice save of a free kick from NCU's Weston Buckley. The Cougars then took the lead in the 21st minute as a low, bouncing shot from Watkinson was not cleared by a North Central defender and then skipped by Ram goalkeeper Jerad Buse to make it 1-0.

Midway through the second half, Minnesota Morris turned North Central over in midfield and Carter Watkinson was able to collect a pass and then dribble forward to the end line before playing a square ball to Dominik Cantu-Polster at the back post for a tap-in to make it 2-0.

From there, it was all about the Minnesota Morris defense. Over the final 23 minutes, the Cougars allowed just four shot attempts from North Central and all but one of them was off target. Harmon was there for the save in the 79th minute to preserve the shutout.

Harmon finished the afternoon with five saves. Cantu-Polster and Watkinson had four shots apiece in the match. Carver Hammond added two shots (both on goal) for the Cougars.

Minnesota Morris stays at home next week for a pair of matches. First up on Thursday afternoon is a 1 p.m. meeting with Martin Luther College.