The Cougar women’s soccer team finished a successful weekend with a resounding 4-0 rout of visiting Bethany Lutheran College.
So dominating was the Cougars' defense and ball possession that the Vikings didn't get off a shot until the 81st minute of the game. It would be their only shot of the match.
The win moves Morris into third place in the UMAC, leaving them in firm control of their own destiny for post-season play.
Junior midfielder Amber O’Connor opened the scoring in the 14th minute of the first half, finishing a lovely pass from senior captain Maddy Gerber. It was O’Connor’s 11th tally of the season. She is now ranked second in the conference in goals scored.
Two minutes later first year Katie Kestner picked up a free ball in the box and lasered it home for an unassisted goal. Gerber finished the first half scoring by punching home a Taylor Meehan pass from 10 yards away.
In the second half, Gerber added a second goal, this time scoring off a pass from fellow senior captain Nina Jarnot.
In the two games this weekend, Gerber racked up 10 points (3 goals, 4 assists). After the game she noted the team’s overall improved play: “I thought we did a really good job connecting passes and moving off the ball. That was something we struggled with before but now we’re starting to find feet (other players) and move the ball,”
After nine Cougar team goals this weekend, Jarnot attributed the success to tempo: “I think we’ve picked up the speed of the game a lot and play a lot faster than we did in the beginning of the season. As a result, we’re scoring more goals.”
Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, junior goalkeeper Emily Jacob looked a bit like the Maytag repairman, facing one shot all day, insulated by the fine backline play of sophomore Crystal Zastrow and first years Kali Cordes and Annie Hawkinson.
Morris improved its record to 8-8 on the season and 7-4 in conference. Next weekend they travel to Duluth to play St. Scholastica and Northland College before returning home for the regular season-ending match-up with Presentation.
Minnesota, Morris 4