ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer team hosted the University of Minnesota Morris on Saturday in the second of a three-game conference home stand. Both times, the Eagles have defended their home field admirably, doing so Saturday with a 2-1 win over the visiting Cougars.
Northwestern came out of the gates aggressively, outshooting Morris 11-2 in the first half, and 4-1 on goal. After a few promising opportunities, UNW was finally able to break through in the 25
th minute when
Aaron Hill (New Brighton, Minn./Mounds View) drew a penalty in the box and
Simeon Friesen (Mounds View, Minn./Mounds View) hammered home the penalty kick. The goal was the fourth of the freshman's young career.
The Eagles struck again in the 51
st minute when
Curtis Tinjum (Wausau, Wisc./Wausau West) got behind the defense, resulting in a one-on-one breakaway between himself and the UMM goalkeeper. Tinjum was able to prevail, maneuvering his way around the keeper and finishing with his right foot to give UNW a 2-0 advantage.
The Cougars attempted to make a late push, scoring in the 85
th minute, but the Northwestern defense held strong the rest of the way to give UNW its second consecutive win. Both such wins came in crucial UMAC games, with Saturday's moving Northwestern ahead of Morris in the conference standings.
Tinjum and Hill led the Eagles in shots with four, and two of Tinjum's were on goal. Friesen contributed four shots, all on goal, while
Tim DeLoye (Wausau, Wisc./Wausau West) added three shots of his own and one on goal.
Gonzalo Luna Belmonte (Riverbank, Calif./Riverbank) finished with two shots, one of which was on goal, and
Joey McMillin (Hugo, Minn./Centennial) and
Luis Villalobos (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) added two shots apiece.
Garrett Miers (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) tallied one shot and an assist in the match.
The final chapter of Northwestern's three-game conference home stand will take place Tuesday, October 3
rd at 4:30 PM. The Eagles will take on Northland College at Reynolds Field.
