MORRIS, Minn. – Crown College may have changed its nickname in the offseason, but the University of Minnesota Morris still had to ride out a storm on Saturday night in a 1-1 draw with the Polars. After a long weather delay, the Cougars quickly rallied from a one-goal deficit in the first half and walked away with a point in the UMAC opener.

In a lively, back-and-forth match, Lucas Harmon made a huge difference for Minnesota Morris. Harmon saved a Crown penalty kick in the 11th minute to keep things scoreless. The Polars didn't have another shot on target until the 37th minute when Harmon parried a shot from the left wing out to the right, only to have Ethan Medina dispatch the deflection to the roof of the net for a 1-0 lead. 

The Crown lead lasted only until the 41st minute. A Crown giveaway in the midfield was collected by Cooper Jones and played forward to Carter Watkinson. From an acute angle on the edge of the 18-yard box, Watkinson delivered a low, hard shot to the left corner to beat Crown keeper Leo Roque to knot it up.

The second half featured a second penalty kick save from Harmon in the 56th minute to keep things level. With the clock under a minute remaining, Crown nicked the ball off a Cougar defender and the Polars had a breakaway situation until Harmon charged out and saved the effort from Diego Romero.

Harmon finished the night with six saves. Watkinson finished with the goal and five total shots (two on target). Carver Hammond also had five shots (one on target).

Minnesota Morris is back at it on Monday afternoon with a 4 p.m. trip to Bethel University for the final non-conference match of the season.