MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's soccer team led early, then had to rally back late to tie Northland College, 2-2, on Sunday afternoon at Big Cat Stadium. The draw with the LumberJacks moves the Cougars to 1-5-2 (1-1-2 UMAC) on the season.

Northland entered Sunday's match with a perfect 3-0-0 UMAC record, but Minnesota Morris was the more impressive team in the opening 45 minutes. The LumberJacks were held to a single shot attempt in the first half – held by Nick Isensee in the 44th minute – and the Cougars created multiple chances in the Northland final third. After a penalty shout earlier in the half, Minnesota Morris finally pulled ahead in the 29th minute with a lovely strike from Carter Watkinson on the edge of the penalty area that was assisted by Gavin Tarbox.

The 1-0 lead for the Cougars lasted until the 58th minute when a slaloming run from Julian Swenson was finished neatly from about 10 yards out to knot the score at 1-1. The Cougars needed a clearance off the line minutes later to keep the LumberJacks from pulling ahead, but the visitors finally managed to take the reins in the 73rd minute with a headed goal from Harrison Tibbetts. 

With less than seven minutes remaining in the contest, Minnesota Morris earned a corner kick and Watkinson's delivery into the box was headed home by Cooper Jones to bring the Cougars back level. Isensee made one final save in the 87th minute to keep things knotted at 2-2.

Isensee finished the afternoon with three saves. Watkinson took three shots for the Cougars while Will Marsan added two.

Minnesota Morris will be back home at Cougar Field on Wednesday afternoon to face North Central University beginning at 2 p.m.