MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris menS soccer team celebrated Senior Day with a decisive 4-2 victory over Martin Luther College on Saturday. The win capped a perfect day for Cougar Athletics, with all four UMM teams in action securing wins.
The scoring began swiftly, with Aaron Mackall finding the net in the second minute, assisted by Whitaker Root and Brett Bartkowicz. Mackall added another goal in the 24th minute, extending the Cougars’ lead to 2-0. Martin Luther responded with a goal 16 minutes before halftime, and then leveled the score at 2-2 with a long-range shot just seconds after a red card was issued to a Knights defender for a foul on Justin Page.
Playing with the wind at their backs in the second half, the Cougars regained the lead when Mackall completed his hat trick – his second of the season – with an assist from Root. Jake Anargyros sealed the victory in the final five minutes, finishing a thru ball from mackall to make it 4-2.
Mackall’s hat trick brings his season goal total to 16. Anargyros scored his seventh goal of the season, his first with the Cougars. Root recorded two assists, while Bartkowicz and Mackall each added one. Minnesota Morris outshot Martin Luther 15-3, with Mackall leading the team with six shots and Anargyros adding four.Goalkeeper Kristofer Isensee earned his fifth win of the season.
“Martin Luther made it tough today getting a lot of numbers behind the ball but our players stuck to our system and broke them down,” said head coach Blake Ordell. ”I am happy with the three points and the effort from our players. It’s always great to get a win on senior Day!”
Ordell also highlighted the broader athletic success: “Congrats to all the Cougar sports getting wins today.” On October 11,Minnesota Morris went 4-0 across all sports,with football winning at Westminster College,volleyball defeating St. Scholastica in five sets,and women’s soccer beating Martin Luther 2-1.
The Cougars (7-6-2) continue their homestand, hosting Crown College on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
