MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota Morris women's soccer team performed well on Sunday night in a 3-1 loss to a dangerous Augsburg University squad. Bella Toth had the first Cougar goal of the season and an organized defensive effort was anchored by Danielle Reinhard's 10 saves.

After a delay of an hour due to excessive heat, Augsburg went on top in the sixth minute with a long-distance shot by Alva Rosa from the wing. The sun played a factor as Reinhard was unable to locate the ball in the air and it went over her head and in to make it 1-0. The Minnesota Morris defense performed admirably throughout the rest of the first half, beaten just once more through a counterattack after a Cougar turnover in midfield. 

A penalty was awarded to Augsburg three minutes into the second half and was finished off by Clara Fesemyer to make it 3-0. Toth provided a spark for Minnesota Morris with just under 20 minutes to play. A free kick for the Cougars was deflected in the penalty area and the sophomore ran it down and was able to wrap her foot around it and loft it over the Augsburg keeper for an impressive finish from the right side of the box.

On a night in which the temperature stayed at or above 90 degrees, five Cougars – Reinhard, AJ LaFrinier, Caroline O'Donnell, Jay Kwateh, and Maddie Schneider – impressively went the whole 90 minutes to contain an Augsburg team that scored five goals in a win yesterday evening. 

Minnesota Morris continues non-conference play on Thursday with a trip to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for a 4 p.m. first kick.