MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's soccer team kept its postseason hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Bethany Lutheran College in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play Tuesday evening in Morris, Minn.
The win moves the Cougars to 2-8-3 overall and 2-4-3 in the UMAC, while the Vikings fall to 1-7-3 overall and 1-6-3 in conference play. This marks the first time the Cougars have defeated the Vikings since the 2021 spring season.
The Cougars applied pressure early, with
Ashlynn Pollreisz recording a shot in the first minute and
Rourke Nebel following shortly after.
CJ Frear-Boerner recorded her first save in the 10th minute. Pollreisz had another attempt on goal, but her shot was saved. The Cougars struck first in the 31st minute when Pollreisz found
Malia Totoris at the top of the box, allowing Totoris to slot a shot into the bottom-left corner. Less than two minutes later, the Vikings drew level with a long-range shot that found the back of the net.
Aime Bustillos had a shot from distance, but the game remained tied 1-1 at halftime.
Minnesota Morris carried the momentum into the second half. Pollreisz and
Rylie Lovec each recorded shots on goal early in the half. In the 63rd minute, Pollreisz sent in a left-footed shot to score her first collegiate goal and put UMM back in front. The Cougars continued to attack, but the score remained 2-1, giving Minnesota Morris the win.
Totoris scored her team-leading third goal of the season, while Pollreisz netted her first goal for Minnesota Morris. As a team, the Cougars outshot the Vikings 22-8, with 10 shots on goal. Pollreisz led the team with 11 shots, including five on target. The UMM defense, consisting of
Jhazlyn Wynne,
Madysen Johnson,
Caitlin Lau,
Tessa Humphreys and
Amiah LaFrinier, held BLC without a shot in the second half. Frear-Boerner made four saves, all in the first half.
The Cougars travel to the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
