Pioneers strike twice early to down Minnesota Morris

MORRIS, Minn.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's soccer team earned its first win of the 2021 season against Minnesota Morris after a day of relentless pressing from the Pioneers. UW-Platteville improves to 1-2-0 on the season after the 2-1 victory against the Cougars (0-3-0) Sunday afternoon.

Minnesota Morris was first on the board following a Cougar penalty kick which gave the home team a 1-0 lead in the 8^th minute.

The Pioneers evened the score minutes later when sophomore Jack Gentilli crossed to Lucas Godon in the 13^th minute and just five minutes later, Freshman Quincy Ott scored off a corner kick to extend UW-Platteville's lead to 2-1.

Three goals within the first 20 minutes of competition would prove to be all the scoring that would take place on Cougar Field.

The Pioneers put together many chances as they totaled 30 shots to the Cougars' three.

Minnesota Morris' Lucas Harmon was put to work and tallied 11 saves in the full 90 minutes.

Freshmen Chase Werner and Lucas Cisneros split the day in goal with Werner recording one save in the second half.

Following the win, Director of Soccer Sam Koenig said, "We are young and starting to figure out college soccer. It is a learning curve, but we will grow and learn from this weekend."

"I am excited to watch how we come to training this week and games next weekend!" added Koenig. 

Sunday's win wraps up UW-Platteville's weekend trip to Minnesota and the Pioneers will take a break until they return home on Saturday, Sept. 11 when they host Central College at 4 p.m. in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.