NEW ULM – Offense is still a weak point for the New Ulm girl’s soccer team, which had scored just two goals in being outscored 9-2 in its first four games.

Monday was another case of struggling offense for New Ulm, as it fell to Mankato East 2-0 in a nonconference soccer match at the south end of the Martin Luther College soccer fields.

“We lack a little bit of strength when we get to the opponent’s half of the field – we kind of go into a panic mode,” New Ulm coach Jonathan Johnson said. “Game by game, we’re working our way out of that and we’re getting a little more comfortable getting in there. We get a few more shots each game and it’s going to pay off.”

The Eagles (1-4, 0-3 Big South) had 10 shots on goal, but none were all that close to getting past senior keeper Morgan Keim-Wolfe.

The Cougars (5-1-1, 2-1-1 Big 9) struck first early with a goal in the 1st minute. Sophomore Danica Stenzel intercepted a pass by the Eagles and buried it in the back of the net to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

Sophomore Natalie Schisel gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead with a goal off a pass from Taylor Kanstrup in the 19th minute to keep the pressure on early.

The Cougars outshot the Eagles 28-10 but were unable to net anything else from then on out. This was thanks in part to the Eagles’ improved defense in the second half, which successfully disrupted many of the Cougars’ attempts at scoring.

“The girls have really picked it up,” Johnson said. “The last three games, the outcome hasn’t been to our favor, but as far as success with the team, it’s been great. They’re playing well, they’ve played three very tough teams in a row and they’ve done very well.”

Senior keeper Emily Schotzko had 17 saves for the Eagles.

New Ulm plays at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Jordan.

–

ME 2 0 – 2

NU 0 0 – 0

First half

M – 1′ Stenzel goal (unassisted)

M – 19′ Schisel goal (T Kanstrup assist)

Second half

None