ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's soccer team closed out its season with a 1-0 victory over the University of Northwestern in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play Saturday evening in St. Paul, Minn.
 
The Cougars finished the season with a 6-9-3 overall record and a 4-6-2 mark in the UMAC, while the Eagles fell to 7-6-2 overall and 5-4-2 in conference play.
 
"From the start we came out with a ton of energy and dominated possession throughout the match," said head coach Blake Ordell. "We were defensively very organized resulting in the shutout and beating Northwestern for the first time away in 11 years."
 
The match was largely a defensive battle. Azariah Zappetta recorded the first shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the attempt was saved. In the final seconds of the half, Aaron Mackall fired a shot but sent it over the bar, resulting in a scoreless opening 45 minutes.
 
Three minutes into the second half, Minnesota Morris keeper Nick Isensee made his first save of the match. In the 50th minute, Mackall was taken down in the box, awarding the Cougars a penalty kick. Jake Anargyros stepped to the spot and converted, giving UMM a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, Anargyros put another shot on target but was denied from doubling the lead. Isensee made two more saves down the stretch to secure his fourth shutout of the season.
 
Anargyros scored his 10th goal of the season in his first year with the Cougars. He led the team with two shots on goal, while Zappetta recorded the other. Isensee finished with three saves.
 
"I'm proud of our team and excited for where out program is heading. It's disappointing to be so close to the playoffs but I'm most disappointed for our seniors who played with so much heart, and will not get the opportunity to go to the tournament. We have to look at it as a learning opportunity for our younger players to understand how taking one play off or not having a good half as a team can be the difference between a playoff spot or not. It was a great team effort and we controlled what we could in the last match but now we must keep improving to reach our goals next year."
 
The Cougars' six wins this season mark their highest total since 2018.