Morgan Cottew and her younger sister, Taylor, are proving to be a potent combination for Minneapolis Washburn.

Morgan is the Millers' top offensive threat while Taylor is the last line of defense as the team's goalkeeper and the duo has unbeaten Washburn ascending in the Class 1A rankings.

The Millers, No. 2 in the latest Minnesota High School Soccer Coaching Association’s ranking, are set to take over the top spot after the Cottew sisters helped Minneapolis Washburn take down No. 1 Orono 1-0 in a nonconference matchup Monday. The Millers improved to 9-0-0 with the victory.

Morgan scored the game-winner with 19:34 remaining, giving her 13 goals on the season.

Scoring comes easy for Morgan with her long, smooth stride and immaculate ball control. The Millers' captain also possesses speed, which she used to put Minneapolis Washburn ahead of Orono.

Morgan broke loose at midfield and pushed the ball past the Spartan’s defense until she was inside the penalty box, where she easily chipped a shot past Orono goalkeeper Jessica Woessner.

"She's tall, skinny, fast and always running," Taylor said. "When you see her in the open space, you know she is going to score.”

Millers’ coach Cheryl Peterson knows Morgan’s speed is a key to the senior forward’s scoring success.

"She's just fast," Peterson said. "With the ball, she is even able to separate."

She is so fast that even the goal is a blur.

"I don't even remember the goal," Morgan said. "It's just a big flash to me right now."

Taylor, however, played things slow as the sophomore led a Millers’ defense that held Sophie Babo, tied for second in the state with 18 goals, and the Spartans scoreless. The shutout was Taylor’s seventh this season, and she has played a big role in Minneapolis Washburn allowing only two goals this season.

"She plays with so much confidence, we know that she isn't going to allow anything to go in," Morgan said. "As a sophomore, she has played really well."

Morgan’s experience starting for Minneapolis Washburn since her freshman year has put her in a leadership role with the team this season, her last playing high school soccer with Taylor. The younger Cottew said she will follow her sister’s direction on the field but is not as willing off the field.

"I really don't listen to her at all when we are at home," Taylor said. "Here, she is the captain of our team, a great leader and one of the best players, so I make sure to listen to her."

Morgan Cottew scored with 19:34 remaining in the second half to give Minneapolis Washburn, ranked No. 2 in the Minnesota State High School Coaching Association's Class 1A poll, a 1-0 victory over No. 1 Orono on Monday night at Minneapolis Washburn High School. Cottew’s goal is her 13th of the season.

The Millers improved to 9-0-0 with the victory, their seventh shutout of the year.

Minneapolis Washburn host Minneapolis Roosevelt on Tuesday.

Orono (7-2-1) welcomes Delano on Tuesday.

Spotlight Game Coverage