STORM LAKE, Iowa – The University of Minnesota Morris women's soccer team earned its first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Buena Vista University on Saturday afternoon in Storm Lake, Iowa. Brianna Ganske scored a brace to lead the Cougars to the road win.
 
With the result, the Cougars improve to 1-2-1, while the Beavers fall to 2-1-1. Minnesota Morris is now 3-0 all-time against Buena Vista.
 
"Really well-earned win today," said head coach Emma Morris. "Sometimes you need a reminder that you've got to put the work in to get the result and there's not a doubt in my mind that they took that last loss to heart, used it as motivation, and came out ready to fight today. We had a good majority of possession, linked up well in the final third of the field, and defensively not much got past us except a lapse in the final few minutes of the game. Super proud of Brianna today with a couple of well earned and time goals, and Rourke had a great first collegiate game keeping it calm in the middle. CJ yet again coming up big in key moments, and Bella I thought looked much more threatening offensively. Now we just need to recover and prepare out bodies for another tough game tomorrow."
 
The Cougars had a strong start to their first road match of the 2025 season. Ganske fired the first shot on goal in the eighth minute, followed soon after by a shot from Bella Toth that was saved. In the 30th minute, Ganske broke the deadlock with an unassisted goal to give UMM a 1-0 lead. Minnesota Morris continued to press but entered halftime with the one-goal advantage. UMM recorded five shots on target in the first half, while not allowing a single shot on frame from the Beavers.
 
Early in the second half, Toth had a shot saved by Buena Vista's Macy Palmer. Ten minutes later, Toth fired another shot on target, which Palmer failed to control—Ganske pounced on the rebound for her second goal of the match. In the final 10 minutes, Toth unleashed a long-range effort that rattled off the crossbar.
 
With five minutes remaining, the Beavers managed to pull one back. In the final moments, BVU earned back-to-back corners, with the first bouncing off the crossbar and out. The second was cleared by the Cougar defense to preserve the 2-1 victory.
 
 
Ganske has now scored in back-to-back games, finishing with two goals on four shots on target. The Cougars recorded 10 shots on frame, led by Toth with five, while Johnette Nagbe added the final attempt. Rourke Nebel made her collegiate debut, starting in the midfield. CJ Frear-Boerner earned her first win of the season in goal.
 
The Cougars continue their trip in Iowa with a matchup against Cornell College on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.