MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's soccer team earned a 4-2 win over Martin Luther College in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play on Saturday afternoon in Morris, Minn., celebrating Senior Day with an exciting home victory.
 
The Cougars improve to 5-5-3 overall and 3-2-2 in the UMAC, while the Knights fall to 0-11-1 overall and 0-7 in conference play. The win also marked a significant milestone for Head Coach Blake Ordell, who recorded his 100th career victory.
 
Before kickoff, seniors Nick Isensee, Jacob Lee, Aaron Mackall, and Whitaker Root were honored for their contributions to the program.
 
"Martin Luther made it tough today getting a lot of numbers behind the ball but our players stuck to our system and broke them down," said head coach Blake Ordell. "I am happy with the three points and the effort from our players. It's always great to get a win on Senior Day!"
 
Ordell also noted the day's athletic success across the board: "Congrats to all the Cougar sports getting wins today." On October 11, Minnesota Morris went 4-0 across sports, with football winning at Westminster College, volleyball defeating St. Scholastica in five sets, and women's soccer beating Martin Luther 2-1.
 
The scoring began early, with Mackall netting a goal in the second minute, assisted by Root and Brett Bartkowicz. Mackall fired two more shots soon after but was denied both times. On the first shot he faced, Isensee made the save to keep the Knights off the scoreboard.
 
In the 24th minute, UMM earned a corner kick, and Mackall struck again, driving the ball into the box and into the net for his second goal of the match. The Knights responded with a goal of their own 16 minutes before halftime. Just seconds later, Justin Page broke through on a promising attack but was taken out from behind, resulting in a red card for an MLC defender.
 
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, MLC's Noah Walta launched a long-range shot from near midfield. Aided by the wind, the ball found the back of the net, leveling the score at 2-2 heading into halftime.

In the second half, the Cougars had the wind at their backs and dominated possession. Root found Mackall in the box, and he completed his hat trick — his second of the season — to put UMM back in front, 3-2.

Though the Cougars continued to press, they were denied until the final five minutes. Mackall sent a through ball to Jake Anargyros, who made a run into the box and calmly finished, sealing the 4-2 victory for Minnesota Morris.
 
Mackall scored his second hat trick of the season, increasing his total to 16 on the year. Anargyros scored his seventh in his first season with the Cougars. Root earned two points on a pair of assists, as Mackall and Bartkowicz also assisted on a goal. UMM totaled 15 shots on target to MLC's three. Mackall led the team in that category with six, and Anargyros followed with four. Isensee earned his fifth win of the season.
 
The Cougars continue their homestand as they host Crown College on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.