MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's soccer team opened its season with a dominant 5-0 win over Trinity Bible College on Friday afternoon in Morris, Minn. Senior Aaron Mackall scored the first two goals of the match within the opening 10 minutes.
 
The win improves Minnesota Morris' record to 1-0 as Trinity Bible drops to 0-2.
 
"I'm very happy with our programs culture and how the players are gelling considering we have 18 new player," stated Head Coach Blake Ordell. "This will continue to take time, but today's win is a good sign of the direction the program is going."
 
The Cougars started fast, with Brett Bartkowicz firing the first shot on goal just before the four-minute mark. Mackall scored two minutes later, with Bartkowicz assisting on the first Cougar goal of the 2025 season. Mackall wasn't done, adding his second goal at 8:59 after Theo Bubser found him with a low cross across the box. Minnesota Morris continued to pressure, tallying nine shots on goal in the first half, though the score remained 2-0 at halftime.
 
Jake Anargyros and Azariah Zappetta each landed shots on frame early in the second half, but both were turned away. Near the 10-minute mark, Whitaker Root sent a cross into the box off a corner, which took a favorable bounce and resulted in an own goal to put UMM up 3-0. Shortly after, Bubser netted his first goal of the season following passes from Mackall and Anargyros. Justin Page capped the scoring at 82:09 with his first collegiate goal, assisted by Eliot Keffer, who earned his first collegiate point.
 
The Cougars recorded 49 total shots, including 24 on goal. Anargyros led the team with five shots on target, followed by Page, Rizal Howes-Agaton, Jacob Lee, and Mackall, who each had three. Mackall matched his career high with five points in a game. Bubser totaled three points on a goal and an assist, while Page added two with his goal. Anargyros, Bartkowicz, and Keffer each picked up a point after assisting a goal. In goal, Nick Isensee earned the win without facing a shot.
 
Minnesota Morris is back in action on Thursday, Sept. 4, when they host Jamestown University at 3 p.m. at Cougar Field.