MSOCC 2009 Result: UMM 3, Martin Luther 0

Conference play has only meant stellar play for the Cougar men’s soccer team. In three matches, they’ve posted three shutouts while dominating play and possession on the field.

They continued that trend in New Ulm, Minn this afternoon with a 3-0 victory over Martin Luther College. It was their third straight win by that margin.

The key to the Cougars’ turnaround has been early offense. At the 4:24 mark, Mattson Towley took a free kick, a designed play, into the box where midfielder Kelsey Duerr headed it home. A minute and four seconds later, Towley picked up another assist, this time to Brent Diggs who rocketed home a shot from 25 yards out.

With the early lead, the Cougars could relax. “When you score early that puts pressure on the other team, and that has been key for us,” said head coach Christian DeVries.

The Knights came out with renewed energy in the second half and managed to launch early shot on which goalkeeper Tyler Simpson made a fingertip save. With the save, the Knights lost momentum and UMM took control again.

UMM managed several more shots in the second half but only one—by Mattson Towley—found the net. “That was a pretty goal. Just some nice tic-tac-toe passing in the box,” DeVries said of the goal.

The Cougars took 40 shots (17 on goal) to Martin Luther’s five.

The victory rounded out a particular productive week for Towley who scored three goals and handed (footed?) out three assists.

The win improves the Cougars’ record to 4-3. They have six days before hosting Northwestern College and Crown College next weekend in Morris.

Box Score