ST. PAUL, Minn. – The UW-Stout men's soccer team traded goals early but couldn't hold off a late surge from Northwestern-St. Paul, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Eagles on Wednesday evening at Reynolds Field.
The Blue Devils (1-2-2) saw sophomore midfielder
Logan Bergien deliver a standout performance, netting both Stout goals—including his first career brace—to keep the visitors in contention. However, Northwestern (2-2-0) capitalized on a pair of penalty kicks and strong second-half play to secure the win.
The match exploded early with four goals in the opening 29 minutes. Northwestern struck first in the 11th minute when Simeon Friesen converted a penalty kick. Stout responded just 55 seconds later, as Bergien equalized off an assist from
Patrick Zich for his first goal of the season. The Eagles regained the lead in the 14th minute on Spencer Ford's tally, assisted by Jared Mojardin, but Bergien leveled the score again at 2-2 with a penalty kick of his own in the 29th minute.
The second half belonged to the hosts, who outshot Stout 9-3 and controlled 56% possession overall. Mojardin broke the deadlock in the 81st minute with an unassisted strike, and Friesen sealed the result with his second penalty kick in the 85th minute.
Bergien led Stout with three shots, all on target, while
Landen Arnstad added two attempts. Goalkeeper
Eddie Puglisi made five saves in the loss, facing 14 total shots from the Eagles. Northwestern's Hayden DeAnnuntis earned the win with two saves.
The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday, September 13, when they host Minnesota-Morris at Nelson Field. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
