MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's soccer team stunned UMAC leaders Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday, winning 2-1 on Senior Day at Cougar Field. The win improves the Cougars to 3-9-5 (3-4-5 UMAC) on the season.

Seven saves from Lucas Harmon kept Minnesota Morris level in a first half that featured a heavy shot advantage from Bethany Lutheran. The Vikings launched 14 shots in the opening 45 minutes compared to just two for the Cougars, however the match was still 0-0 at the half.

That changed in the 51st minute when Tommy Ellis was clipped just outside the 18-yard box to give Minnesota Morris a free kick from straight in front of the goal. Carter Watkinson lined it up and curled a shot over the Bethany Lutheran wall and into the lower corner for a 1-0 Cougar advantage.

Less than four minutes later, Watkinson struck again off a Bethany Lutheran turnover in their defensive third. Ellis helped break up the play of the Vikings and Watkinson blasted a shot home from about 25 yards out to double the Minnesota Morris lead.

That turned out to be the final Minnesota Morris shot of the afternoon, but Harmon and the Cougar defense were up to the challenge. Bethany Lutheran had 12 more shot attempts in the second half, but the majority were off target. Harmon made four saves and the lone BLC goal came in the 87th minute to make it 2-1. The Cougars held on from there to pick up the victory.

Harmon – one of three seniors along with Watkinson and Carson Friestad – had 11 saves on the afternoon. Watkinson had three of the five UMN Morris shots in the match.

Minnesota Morris heads to Wisconsin next weekend for a pair of matches. First up is a 4:30 p.m. meeting with the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Oct. 28.