NEW ULM – The Martin Luther College men’s soccer team opened Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play with a 3-2 overtime win against Minnesota Morris on Tuesday.

The Knights trailed 2-0 after the game’s first 20 minutes, but momentum started to shift in their favor after Aaron Swanson hit a rocket shot from well outside the box, soaring over the keeper but below the bar to pull the team within one goal heading into halftime despite being outshot 13-5 and allowing seven UMM corner kicks in the first stanza.

The Knights continued to push in the second half, and quickly scored the equalizer when Aaron Markgraf converted a penalty kick after a tackle inside the UMM box to tie the game 2-2.

Both teams had chances to end the game in regulation. Keeper Caleb King and the MLC defense led by Ryan Plath and Nathan Graumann held the Cougars scoreless, while Joseph Graumann, Swanson and Elijah Kroll each had chances to add to the MLC tally but were unable to convert.

In overtime, the Knights pressured early, and then converted 1:41 into the extra period when Eric Dorn took a pass on the left side from Hugo Ugalde-Bemer and sent it past UMM keeper Cody Christ for the game winner. The goal was his first of the season, and the second of Dorn’s MLC career.

The Knights outshot the Cougars 18-14 in the second half and overtime, and held an 11-7 edge in shots on goal during that stretch.

Swanson led MLC with five shots, and tied Markgraf for the team lead with three shots on goal. Joseph Graumann added four shots, including one that hit the cross bar in the second half.

King was strong in goal for MLC, stopping 10 of 12 shots he faced on goal, and one of the Cougars’ two goals in the first half came on a penalty kick.

The Knights improved to 3-3 on the season and 1-0 in UMAC play with the win. UMM fell to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play in defeat.

MLC women fall to Morris

NEW ULM – The Martin Luther College women’s soccer team lost its opener in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play by the score of 7-2 against Minnesota Morris on Tuesday.

The fireworks started early on the scoreboard, as UMM opened the scoring just 1:33 into the game on a goal by Molly Hancuh. The Cougars’ Megan Ellingboe added to the lead just 3:08 later, but the Knights’ Jenna Maurer would respond.

Seconds after the Cougars’ second goal, Maurer took pass from Hailey Johnson in the middle of the box and sent it home to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Later, in the 15th minute, Maurer tied the score 2-2 after a strong run down the right sideline, finished by a strong shot into the right corner of the goal. Maurer now has four goals this season, and moved into a tie for third place in program history with 40 goals for her career.

The Knights continued to generate chances, but defensive miscues plagued them the rest of the game. The Cougars took the lead for good in the 22nd minute, and then added penalty kick goals in the 45th and 66th minute to put the game out of reach.

MLC fell to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in UMAC play in defeat. UMM improved its record to 1-3 on the season and 1-0 in conference play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Crown College for a 2 p.m. game.