MANKATO, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's soccer team was defeated 4-1 by Bethany Lutheran College in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play Tuesday evening in Mankato, Minn. Katelin McElroy scored in the final minute for her first collegiate goal.
 
The Vikings improve to 7-6-2 overall and 7-2-1 in the UMAC, while the Cougars drop to 5-9-2 overall and 4-4-1 in conference play.
 
"We knew it would be a tough game today and I think in the first half we showed that we can go toe to tow with anyone in the conference," said head coach Emma Morris. "Second half it felt like we took our foot off the gas and got punished for it. Very happy for Katelin getting her first collegiate goal and a nice silver lining for us. Now we turn our attention to a tough game on Saturday and our last home game of the season."

The Cougar defense blocked a couple of early shots from the Vikings in the first 10 minutes of action. The first shot on target found the back of the net, putting BLC up 1-0. Brianna Ganske had the first shot for Minnesota Morris, but it was saved. After the goal, it took 20 minutes for the Vikings to record another shot, with CJ Frear-Boerner turning them away. The Cougars had another chance when Ziviara Cordova's shot was kept out. Late in the half, Ashlynn Pollreisz hit a low, driven shot that was pushed out for a corner. UMM could not convert, and they trailed 1-0 going into halftime.
 
Cordova opened the second half with an early shot for the Cougars in the second minute but couldn't find the back of the net. The Vikings converted their first shot of the second half to double their lead. The Cougars created more chances, with Madysen Johnson and Caitlin Lau registering shots, but they were unable to score. Bethany Lutheran netted two more goals to increase the lead to 4-0.
 
In the final minute of the game, Pollreisz sent a cross into the box. The ball landed between the BLC keeper and McElroy, where McElroy gained possession, made a move to beat the keeper, and slotted home the shot for her first collegiate goal, ending the game 4-1.
 
The Cougars and Vikings each recorded seven shots on target in the game. McElroy had the lone goal for UMM. Cordova and Pollreisz led the Cougars with two shots each. In goal, Frear-Boerner made three saves.
 
The Cougars return home for their final home game of the season as they host the University of Wisconsin–Superior on Saturday at 1 p.m.